TOMATO FLU IS CONTAGIOUS: WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT METHODS

There’s an outbreak of a new disease called “Tomato Flu” that’s concerning most of the states in India right now.

This highly contagious viral disease was started in the early May of 2022 in the Kolleru district of Kerala affecting children of age 1-5yrs old and some immunocompetent adults. Reports show that it spread soon to the neighboring states and attacked more than 82 children since its start. Moreover, many cases were observed in other states like Odisha and this high-speed disease expansion pulled the attention of medical experts to look towards it.

Symptoms of Tomato Flu:

Children affected with Tomato Flu states that it initially. It starts with a mild fever, loss of hunger, and a feeling of a soar throat. After a few days, small red spots appear on the skin which turns into ulcers later. These blisters can cause itching and intense pain which irritates the patient. Some other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dehydration, fatigue, etc. It is advised to immediately consult a doctor if a child experiences these symptoms since it is contagious.

Treatment methods for Tomato Flu:

According to experts, Tomato Flu is a self-limiting disease and no specific drug is suggested to cure it. However, medical expert Dr. Ashok Gawdi suggests that calamine can be taken for blisters, paracetamol for pain, and mouth gels for mouth ulcers. The affected children or adults are advised to stay indoors, isolated from the general public, take rest, have plenty of water, and fluids for dehydration, and a warm sponge is suggested for blister itching and irritation.

The central issue advisory suggests that it is not related to Covid-19 or chikungunya or monkeypox. But the exact cause is yet to be found out. However, they claimed that it’s a self-limiting disease that usually lasts for two-four weeks. Proper care and precautions are to be taken to get rid of its effects and spread out.