Over A Hundred Cases Of Tomato Fever Prompting The Government To Issue An Advisory To The States.
More than 82 children less than 5 years old have been recorded by local government hospitals as having Tomato Fever as of July 26. The first incidence of Tomato Flu in India was discovered on May 6 in the Kollam region of Kerala. Anchal, Aryankavu, and Neduvathur are also in the path of the devastation in Kerala.
After more than a hundred instances of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), also known as Tomato Flu, were recorded in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Haryana, the federal government issued an advise to the states on the matter. As of July 26, more than 82 children less than 5 years old were reported by local government hospitals as having Tomato Flu, which was originally diagnosed in the Kollam district of Kerala on May 6. This is according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Anchal, Aryankavu, and Neduvathur are three more regions in Kerala that have been hit hard.
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, two neighboring states, were put on high notice because of this chronic viral infection. The Odisha Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar has also confirmed the illness in 26 youngsters. These kids range in age from 1 to 9. Except for the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Odisha, no other parts of India have reported cases of the sickness caused by the virus as of yet.
What is Tomato Flu and how does it spread?
Infectious viruses cause tomato flu. The condition gets its name from the tomato-shaped blisters that appear on various body areas, and which are the most noticeable symptom. The blisters seem red at first, but as they get larger, they take on the appearance of tomatoes.
Tomato flu in children presents with fever, rashes, and joint discomfort, all of which are classic signs of viral infections. Skin rashes are another potential source of irritation. Union Health Ministry said that symptoms include weariness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, dehydration, swelling of joints, body pains, and typical influenza-like symptoms, which are all prevalent with viral infections.
HFMD manifests itself with high body temperature, fever, and a skin rash. Mild fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, and sometimes a sore throat are the first symptoms to appear. Small red patches occur one or two days after the onset of fever, and they progress through the stages of blistering and ulceration. The most common sites of outbreak are the mouth (tongue and gums), face (palms and soles), and hands (mouth and gums).
Dengue, chikungunya, zika virus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes are all possible causes of these symptoms in children; after these are ruled out by molecular and serological testing, a diagnosis of tomato flu may be explored.
The symptoms of tomato flu often subside on their own within a few days, making this an infectious condition that is self-limiting. It seems that this illness is a clinical form of the so-called hand-foot-and-mouth sickness that is widespread among school-aged children.
Nappy usage, unwashed hands, and putting objects directly into the mouth all put infants and toddlers at risk for this illness. Although HFMD is more common in children less than 10 years old, it may also affect adults. Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment for this condition. Isolation, relaxation, lots of drinks, and a hot water sponge for relief of discomfort and rashes are recommended treatments, similar to those used for other viral illnesses. Paracetamol for pain and fever is only the beginning of the symptom relief that will be necessary.
What precautions are needed?
To avoid the transmission of illness to other children or adults, isolation should be used for 5-7 days after the beginning of any symptom. Maintenance of good hygiene and sanitization of the surrounding requirements and surroundings, as well as avoiding the sick kid from sharing toys, clothing, food, or other objects with other non-infected children, are the best solutions for prevention.
There are no vaccinations or antiviral medications available at this time for the treatment or prevention of tomato flu. To better understand the need for prospective therapies, more follow-up and monitoring for severe outcomes and sequelae is required.
Among the various infectious causes of oral ulcers is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD). However, doctors can generally identify HFMD from other causes of mouth sores by asking about the patient’s age, listening to the patient’s or parent’s description of symptoms, and seeing the rash and/or sores. Clinical evidence is used extensively in making a diagnosis.
It may take 2–4 weeks for laboratory findings after sending samples of the patient’s throat or stool to try to isolate the virus implicated in producing the disease. The testing is necessary for an epidemic investigation leading to the implementation of preventative measures.
The Health Ministry has said that nasopharyngeal or throat swabs may be taken from patients during the first 48 hours of symptom onset. Within 48 hours of a suspected sickness, a feces sample should be taken.
