Tomato Flu in India: Spreading fast in Children, Symptoms & Prevention

After Covid-19, Monkeypox was the virus that did not let people sleep at night, But when people started recovering from Monkeypox, another virus “Tomato Fever” entered India. 

Tomato Flu affects children from 1 to 5 years of age and has, so far, affected 100 children in India.

According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Tomato Flu was first detected in Kerala’s Kollam district on 06th May this year.

Dr. Sonia Rawat, Director of the Preventive Health Department of Ganga Ram Hospital said that the tomato fever virus is a viral infection, in which, blisters occur on the mouth, hands, and feet of young children. These blisters can be in the shape of a tomato, called tomato flu.

She further said that this disease affects children between the ages of 1 and 5 and adults with weak immunity. Sometimes it is also an aftereffect of dengue or chikungunya. However, it can be cured within a week. If the case is serious, then one should consult a doctor.

What are the Causes & Symptoms of Tomato Flu?
It is a viral infection, which can spread from infected children to other children. This disease can also be caused by touching, sitting together, and playing.

The Most Common Symptoms are Fever, severe pain in the body, excessive fatigue, dehydration, blisters on the skin, mouth ulcers, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, cough and cold, and pain in the joints. 

Additionally, this disease begins with mild fever, poor appetite, malaise, and often a sore throat. One or two days after the fever starts, small red spots appear which change to blisters and then to ulcers. The sores are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks, palms, and soles.

How to Prevent Tomato Flu?

• Drink plenty of water.
• Consume as much liquid as possible.
• Take care of the cleanliness around the child.
• If you spot blisters on the body, avoid touching them. Also, consult a doctor and keep a distance.
• Children should get all the vaccines so that there is no risk of such diseases.
• People with weak immunity should take extraordinary measures and take a healthy diet.