As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and monkeypox cases continue to rise globally, a new viral infection, tomato flu, affecting young children (especially those under the age of five years). We are going to try to clarify its origin, causes, symptoms and how it can be treated.
This infectious disease was identified for the first time in the state of Kerala on May 6, 2022. Since then, and until July 26, 108 cases have been registered in the country, all in children under nine years of age and located in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Odisha, to which must be added two other cases in the United Kingdom: a 13-month-old girl and a five-year-old boy who had returned from a vacation in Kerala a week before the onset of symptoms .
The characteristics of the infection are described in an article recently published in the scientific journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine and, although it is not considered to be life-threatening and is endemic (it has not spread to other countries outside the origin of the outbreak), previous experience with the coronavirus has led experts to ask that epidemiological surveillance not be neglected, especially after two other infected have been detected in the United Kingdom, which are described in an article published in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.
What is tomato flu and how is it transmitted?
Tomato flu is a viral infection that has been so named because it causes the appearance of red blisters that spread over the body and grow to the size of a tomato. As explained by the authors of the article published in The Lancet, it has not yet been determined what type of virus is responsible for the disease.
If the outbreak of tomato flu in children is not controlled and prevented, the disease could be transmitted to adults and cause serious consequences
“Tomato flu – they say – could be a side effect of chikungunya or dengue fever in children rather than a viral infection.” The virus, these scientists indicate, “could also be a new variant of viral hand, foot and mouth disease”, a common viral disease, also known as foot-and-mouth disease, which mainly affects children between one and five years of age. immunocompromised adults.
The doctors who have reported the cases of the children in the United Kingdom, for their part, assure that the infection would be caused by the Enterovirus CA16, since in the analyzes carried out on these patients they were positive for it. Specifically, a genetic analysis found similarities to a clade previously detected in China between 2011 and 2014.
The data that is handled so far has suggested that the reason why all the infections recorded so far have occurred in children is due to the form of contagion, since it is likely to be transmitted through close contact and infections. Viral infections are common in children. Young children are also more vulnerable to this infection because they touch contaminated objects and surfaces with their hands and then put them in their mouths.
In any case, and taking into account the resemblance it bears to hand, foot and mouth disease, the authors of the work have warned that if the outbreak of tomato flu in children is not controlled and prevented, the disease could be transmitted adults and cause serious consequences.
What are the symptoms of tomato flu
Some of the early symptoms of tomato flu are similar to those of COVID-19, such as fever, fatigue, or body aches, but the virus that causes this illness is not related to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. High fever, joint pain, and skin rashes in affected children also resemble chikungunya symptoms, while others are similar to flu and dengue.
The main symptoms of this viral infection are:
- High fever.
- Rashes.
- Intense pain and swelling in the joints.
- Red, painful blisters all over the body, increasing in size to the size of a tomato.
- skin irritation
- Fatigue.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- dehydration
The two UK children developed a vesicular rash, and neither had a fever, but the girl developed painful mouth lesions that caused excessive drooling. The lesions had practically disappeared without leaving scars six days after the onset of symptoms in the case of the boy, and 16 days in the case of the little girl.
To determine if what the patient has is tomato fever, when a child presents the aforementioned symptoms, molecular and serological tests are carried out for the diagnosis of dengue, chikungunya, Zika virus, varicella-zoster virus and herpes; if the results rule out these viral infections, it is confirmed that what you have contracted is the tomato virus.
How is tomato flu treated and how can it be prevented?
There are currently no vaccines or antiviral drugs available for the treatment or prevention of tomato flu, but as it is a highly contagious condition, as is the case with other types of flu, confirmed or suspected cases have to remain in isolation – between five and seven days from the onset of symptoms – and the necessary precautionary measures should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
Until now, treatment has consisted of isolating the patient and resting them while fluid replacement is performed to prevent dehydration, and applying hot water with a sponge to relieve rashes and skin irritation. Paracetamol can also be given to relieve pain and lower fever.
Regarding the prevention of tomato flu, it is essential to maximize hygiene in the patient’s environment and disinfect the objects that have been in contact with the patient and, of course, prevent those infected from sharing toys, clothing, food or any other article. or utensil with other people.
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