What is flu?

Any viral disease that produces fever, fatigue, and body aches, e.g., influenza, COVID, swine flu, bird flu, and now, we have tomato fever.

What is this new thing called tomato flu that everybody is talking about?

Tomato flu was first reported on May 6, 2022. Little is known about the disease, and the medical community is still gathering information. Only Kerala, Tamilnadu, and Odisha, India, have reported cases in their territory.

Why is it called tomato fever?

Children affected by this disease manifest red blisters that grow to the size of a tomato.

Why does it occur?

We don’t know what causes it and whether it is an infection in the first place. It may well be a variant of:

• Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD – read more about it here).
• A sequel of chikungunya or dengue fever.

Whom does it affect?

It primarily targets children between the ages of one and five. It can occur in adults with depressed immunity – for example, if they’re on certain immunosuppressant medications, or are suffering from cancer, etc.

How is it transmitted from one person to another?

Direct skin-to-skin contact is the most common mechanism. You can also get it if you touch infected body fluids, contaminated bedding, or clothing or inhale respiratory droplets if the infected person sneezes or coughs.

How can you prevent acquiring the infection?

• Isolate all affected persons for at least 5-7 days from the onset of symptoms.
• Avoid contact with any materials, such as bedding that has been in contact with a sick child.
• Practice good hand hygiene after contact with infected humans. For example, washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients.

Is there any specific treatment for tomato flu?

The treatment is primarily symptomatic. Paracetamol for fever and pain, or other painkillers. adequate hydration, nutrition, lotions, and medications to decrease the itching and pain from the skin lesions.

Is there any vaccine available for the disease?

It is too early to say that it is an individual disease entity, let alone develop a vaccine for it. Now the million-dollar question!

Should you be worried, given the high publicity that it is receiving in the press?

Personally, I don’t think so. We have just emerged from a pandemic. We are naturally paranoid, and maybe we are blowing our fears well out of proportion. In any case, it is restricted to just three states in India. As medical professionals and parents of potential victims, we cannot afford to be complacent.