To make the body healthy, doctors often advise us to take salad and tomato is the most important part of salad. But in recent times, tomato has been intimidating us to improve our health and enhance the taste of our food. We are talking here about the “Tomato Flu” that is spreading in South India. Right now the whole world is battling with the corona epidemic that many more such diseases are coming to the fore, which are causing constant fear among the people, it is one of them. Through this article, we will learn about tomato flu in detail, in which we will talk about the symptoms, the causes and most importantly, the treatment of tomato flu.
What is Tomato Flu ?
Tomato flu is a viral illness that results in blisters/rash, skin irritation, and dehydration in children. This viral disease mostly occurs in children under five years of age. Since, during this time the child’s body has blisters, rashes, or blisters and the child’s body becomes red like a tomato, due to this the name of this viral fever has been named tomato flu.
Tomato fever is a viral infection that affects children below the age of 5. When infected with this disease, the patient child also gets high fever. Children who get infected with it have severe body and joint pain along with dehydration problem. Since it is similar in symptoms to chikungunya, dengue, and hand, foot and mouth disease, the treatment for the contagious infection is also similar. Patients are advised to self-isolate, rest and drink plenty of fluids. A warm water sponge is recommended for relief from irritation and rashes.
Lancet warns :
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, published on August 17, warned in its journal that if this infection is not controlled, then adults can also start becoming infected with it. Printing about this, the Lancet wrote, “Children are at higher risk of getting tomato flu, as viral infections are common in this age group and can be spread through close contact. Young children are also at risk of infection by using nappy, touching dirty surfaces and putting things directly in the mouth. If the outbreak of tomato flu in children is not controlled, then the infection can spread to adults also and there can be serious consequences.
What are the Causes of Tomato Flu ?
The reason of the Tomato Flu are still unknown. Health officials are still investigating the cause of the tomato flu. Many experts are citing dengue or chikungunya (CHIKV) as the reason behind this. It should be noted though, that tomato fever is a type of flu that only strikes young children. The health department is running an awareness campaign to prevent the disease from becoming dangerous. However, the disease is mainly spread in Kerala. But the country’s health ministry is concerned about it. Under which many states have been put on alert.
What are the Symptoms of Tomato Flu ?
According to the cases reported so far, the symptoms of tomato flu can appear as follows :
- High fever
- Large, tomato-sized blisters that are red in color
- Rashes
- Skin irritation
- Dehydration
- Body pain
- Swollen joints
- Pain in body and joints
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Dry mouth
- Excessive fatigue
The following symptoms have also been observed in some patients which indicate the severity of tomato flu :
- Discoloration of hands, knees, and buttocks
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Tired
- Coughing more than usual
- Sneeze
If your child is five years of age or closer and you notice the above symptoms in your child, then you should talk to the doctor about it as soon as possible.
How can Tomato Flu be Diagnosed ?
Patients with the symptoms listed here should undergo molecular and serological tests to diagnose Zika virus, Chikungunya and Dengue. Apart from this, it can be easily detected through respiratory samples and stool samples. But if there is a possibility of infection (depending on the symptoms) samples should be given within 48 hours.
What is the Treatment for Tomato Flu ?
Currently, there is no specific treatment for tomato flu. Therefore, the disease can be managed only symptomatically.
If your child has got it, keep cleanliness in and around your house. Stop scratching the baby if there is a red rash on his body. Keep your healthy children away from infected patients and avoid using their belongings. According to experts, the biggest problem of this disease is that there is a lack of water in the patient’s body, keeping this in mind, the lack of water in the patient’s body has to be removed. Keep drinking fruit juice, drink sherbet and keep drinking water to overcome the lack of water in the body. If your child is not taking water, then in such a situation, he can be admitted to the hospital and drip can be applied.
What are the Home Remedies for Tomato Flu ?
Not at all, if you are battling with tomato flu, then you should not try any home remedy. At present, not much information is available about this severe fever, due to which a step taken without the advice of an expert can lead to serious consequences.
Rather, know the symptoms of tomato fever and consult a doctor immediately. Symptoms include red blisters on the skin, burning sensation in the skin, joint pain, runny nose, high fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, cough, body aches, sneezing, diarrhea and fatigue.
In case of tomato flu, the child will have to drink more water. If you can drink water, many problems will be solved. Apart from this, the rash-out area should also be cleaned gently. If there is a wound on the body again, then be careful. But do not scratch that rash in any way with your fingernails. In this case, the risk of infection can increase manifold. So there is no option but to be careful.
How to Avoid Tomato Flu ?
It is very easy to protect yourself and your children. According to experts, the mortality rate in this disease is very low and it can be easily treated. So in such a situation, you can take the following steps to prevent tomato flu :
- Drink at least two liters of water throughout the day, apart from this, you can also consume other beverage products, such as fresh juice and coconut water.
- If possible, use lukewarm water instead of cold water.
- Take special care of the cleanliness of yourself and the children.
- Take care of cleanliness around the house and the child.
- Take a bath with hot water.
- Keep distance from infected child.
- Eat healthy diet.
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lukewarm water.
- Use mask and gloves before going near infected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why the name Tomato Flu ?
The infection got its name from the red and painful blisters that burst all over the body, which gradually turn into the size of a tomato.
What to do if infected with Tomato Flu ?
If someone in your household has been infected with the tomato flu, take the following steps :
- Take special care of cleanliness around the infected.
- Use sanitizer and wash hands regularly.
- Do not share toys, clothing, food and other objects of infected children with other children.
- Rest the body during infection and after recovery from infection, do not do anything that causes fatigue, fever and any other physical problem.
- If blisters have formed, avoid touching them.
- Offer boiled clean water to the infected child, so that he can stay hydrated.
- Prevent the child from itching on the blisters or rashes.
- Get enough rest to avoid the long lasting effects.
What is the relation of tomato flu with tomatoes ?
If you are looking for any connection between tomato flu and tomato after hearing the name tomato flu then we would advise you not to try in vain as there is no connection between the two. Actually, due to there are tomato-like red colored blisters or marks on the patient’s body. For this reason this infection has been named tomato flu.
Is Tomato Flu Contagious ?
Like other cases of flu, it is contagious. You will be surprised to know that it is a contagious disease that spreads through touch. Therefore, if someone around you is suffering from this disease, then keep a distance from him and especially do not allow children to come close to the patient. This mistake can cost your child a lot. If your child has come under the grip of this serious disease, then keep him isolated and do little work around him.
Is tomato flu a cause for concern ?
Although it is undoubtedly contagious, health officials have assured that it is not fatal and can be treated. However, it is advisable to avoid close contact with an infected child.
How does tomato flu spread ?
Experts believe that tomato flu is not life threatening but it is definitely contagious. Some experts say that due to the side effects of dengue and chikungunya, such diseases occur. Doctors believe that children are more at risk, so keep children away from hygienic things.
What to do when a child gets infected with Tomato Flu ?
If your child has been infected with it, then take special care of the following things :
- Contact doctor immediately.
- Maintain proper hygiene.
- Don’t let your child scratch the blisters.
- Keep your baby hydrated by drinking boiled water.
- Use warm water to bathe the baby.
- Avoid close contact with infected person.
- Clothes, utensils and other items used by an infected child should be cleaned separately to prevent the flu from spreading.
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