What is Tomato Flu? Causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment

Central Government and Uttar Pradesh Government issued advisories on Tomato Flu, read this detailed article to know symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and experts' opinion on it

Tomato flu has no link with coronavirus, dengue, chikungunya and monkeypox, claims the centre. Reports have implied that tomato flu is a self-limiting disease which is primarily targeting young children between 1 to 10 years of age and adults with weak immunity.

India recorded over 100 tomato flu cases in four different states - Haryana, Odisha, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Most cases are among kids between the age of 1-9 years. Though, no other regions are affected except the four mentioned states. Reports suggest that it is a clinical variant of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

Also read | Tomato Flu not related to SARS-CoV-2, Centre sent advisory to states

Till now, there are no specific drugs for this disease, and it is being treated with different combinations of medication for chikungunya and dengue. However, the advisory by the centre emphasized sanitization and proper hygiene for best prevention.

After coronavirus and monkeypox, Tomato Flu is trending in India as around 82 cases of Tomato Flu or Tomato Fever have been reported in India since May 2022, reveals a Lancet study. Kerala reported the first case of the Tomato virus on May 6, 2022.

The Lancet study states that this common contagious disease generally targets children between one and five years of age and adults with weaker immunity. The disease reportedly affects the mouth, hand and foot, claimed the study.

Also read | Tomato fever: India reports another viral disease after Covid-19, monkeypox

What is Uttar Pradesh government advisory on Tomato flu?

“The best thing for prevention is maintaining proper hygiene and sanitization of the surroundings. Parents should tell their children not to hug or touch other children having fever or rash symptoms,” states the advisory which has been shared with all the Chief Medical Officers (CMO) of the 75 districts of the state by the infectious disease/vector-borne disease department of the government.

The advisory issued by Uttar Pradesh Government on Tomato flu focused on some important aspects such as:

1. Importance of maintaining a proper hygiene
2. Sanitization should be a regular thing or practice among potential patients.
3. Parents are requested to advise underage children to refrain from physical contact with other children or alienated bodies.

Understanding the disease: What is Tomato Flu?

Identified first in Kerala, Tomato Flu is caused by a virus and shows symptoms similar to those of Covid-19 but is not related to SARS COV-2. This disease was first identified in Kerala's Kollam district. Instead of being a viral infection, Tomato Flu might be an after-effect of Dengue fever or Chikungunya in children.

What does tomato have to do with Tomato Flu?

There are myths that the flu has some significance with tomatoes. However, the reason why it is called 'Tomato' is because of the red and painful blisters that appear throughout and grow gradually to the size of a tomato.
 

What are the causes of Tomato Flu?

Till now, no causes have been found that cultivate or spread Tomato Flu. Health officials are still investigating the key causes of Tomato Fever.

What are the symptoms of Tomato Flu?

Though there has not been a lot of study on this contagious disease, we can experience the symptoms given below.

Tomato Flu vs Covid-19

Topic	Tomato Flu	COVID-19
Incubation or Isolation period	5-7 days	2-14 days
Contagious	Less contagious	More contagious
Response to children	Targets children under the age of 5.	People of all ages are getting infected
Treatment	Drugs to fight Chikungunya or Dengue works	There are few FDA-drugs approved for oxygen
Complications	Non-life threatening till now	There are cases of blood clotting in veins, arteries, lungs, heart, legs and brain

Tomato Flu: Symptoms similar to other diseases

Tomato flu has symptoms similar to Dengue and Chikungunya such as body aches, skin irritation, fever, vomiting swelling of joints etc. The origin and how the disease spread are still unrevealed. Some experts also believe that this can be the after-effects of Chikungunya.

What are the causes of Tomato Flu?

Till now, no causes have been found that cultivate or spread Tomato Flu. Health officials are still investigating the key causes of Tomato Fever.

What are the symptoms of Tomato Flu?

- Skin irritation: It is one of the most common symptoms of a Tomato Flu-infected person.

- Decolouration: Legs and hands get discoloured and slightly unidentifiable.

- Fatigue and tiredness: While fatigue can be common for people who travel a lot, fatigue can be a health risk.

- Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea: While these symptoms are also common, they can affect your overall health.

- Coughing, fever, sneezing or runny nose: These symptoms are quite common in coronavirus as well.

- Joint pain and body ache: A Tomato virus-infected person would have difficulty moving smoothly.

How can you prevent Tomato Flu?

According to experts, the mortality rate in this disease is not high and could be treated easily. Here are some ways to protect you from Tomato Flu.

- Drink more water, juices and liquid content

- Try to drink more boiled water

- It's better not to touch the blisters

- Maintain good personal hygiene

- Maintain physically distance from suspected cases

- Take sufficient rest to avoid the long-lasting effects of Tomato Flu

What do experts have to say about Tomato Flu?

It is similar to HFMD(Hand, Foot, Mouth disease). In 2022, we are witnessing a large number of reported cases. However, the good thing is that HFMD cases are rarely complicated or severe. There are hardly any cases of hospitalization, stated Dr. Fazal Nabi, a pediatrician at Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai.

He expressed that there are very few cases of diseases like HFMD in the last two years, as there was no public activity and pollution. 

"Now we are seeing schools working in full swing, group activities picking up and traffic is also at an all-time high. This has led to the spread of such diseases as well Tomato Fever is like any other flu, with no attached complications". stated Nabi.

A senior health ministry official in the Kollam district said that they have experienced as many as 1300 cases of HFMD which was provisionally diagnosed by doctors in the district.

What is the diagnosis for Tomato Flu?

Patients showing the symptoms listed here should go through molecular and serological tests for the diagnosis of the Zika virus, Chikungunya, and Dengue. 

How to treat Tomato Flu?

The known treatment for Tomato flu seems similar to the treatment of Chikungunya and Dengue. Patients are advised to isolate rest, stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids.

Some drugs that can be used are "Supportive therapy of paracetamol for fever and body ache and other symptomatic treatments are required," claims the Lancet study.

Which states are affected by Tomato Flu?

Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha and many others. The viral infection is also spreading across neighbouring states.

How is the Indian government fighting the disease?

The central government has come up with some prevention plans for the disease. They rolled out an advisory on the Tomato virus, here are some of the key points to be followed.

- People have to follow proper hygiene.

- Children should know the symptoms and signs of the disease.

- All areas need to be sanitized to stop the spread of flu from sharing toys, clothes, food, or different items among children.

- Infected children will have to stay isolated for 5-7 days from the first onset of symptoms.

- The disease can occur in adults too

(Written by Zuhair Zaidi)