Hand foot mouth disease (HFMD), also known as tomato fever, has become a cause of concern for health experts as it spreads rapidly in India with 82 cases reported. “As we are dealing with the possible emergence of a fourth wave of COVID-19, a new virus known as tomato flu, or tomato fever, has emerged in children under the age of 5 in the state of Kerala, India. The Lancet said. its report. According to the Lancet Respiratory Journal, the first case of ‘tomato fever’ was reported on May 6 in Kollam, Kerala.
COVID-19 India hasn’t loosened its grip while monkeypox dagger hangs down, a study finds Lancet Respiratory Journal reported that a person suffering from COVID-19 and a person suffering from HFMD or tomato fever have similar symptoms, but are caused by different viruses.
Here’s a detailed understanding of the symptoms of tomato fever and their similarities to the symptoms of COVID-19
symptoms of covid-19, tomato fever
The tomato flu virus has similar symptoms to COVID-19. These symptoms initially include fever, fatigue and body aches. Some Covid-19 patients also report skin rashes. However, the virus that causes tomato fever is not related to SARS-CoV-2.
Tomato flu in children may be an effect of chikungunya or dengue fever rather than a viral infection.
Symptoms of tomato fever similar to other diseases
The Lancet report states that the primary symptoms in children with tomato fever are similar to those of chikungunya, including high fever, rash and severe joint pain.
On the basis of what was the tomato flu named? red and painful eruption Blisters all over the body that gradually enlarge like a tomato. The report states that these rashes or blisters are similar to those seen in young individuals with the monkeypox virus. Rashes appear on the skin with tomato flu, which causes skin irritation.
Like other viral infections, further symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, joint swelling, body aches, and general influenza-like symptoms, similar to those seen in dengue.
How Tomato Fever Is Detected
In children with these symptoms, molecular and serological tests are performed to diagnose dengue, chikungunya, Zika virus, varicella-zoster virus and shingles; 11 Once these viral infections are ruled out, tomato virus contraction is confirmed.
causes of tomato fever
Infectious disease is caused by intestinal viruses and is rare in adults because they usually have an immune system strong enough to defend against the virus.
Health experts say that this is a self-limiting disease and there is no specific medicine for its treatment. He also warned that the infection is “very contagious”.
Symptoms of Tomato Fever
patients infected with tomato fever virus complaint
-fatigue
Red rash that enlarges like a tomato
– joint pain
– abdominal cramps
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Diarrhea
– cough
-Sneeze
-running nose
-high fever
Body pain.
Is Tomato Fever Contagious
Tomato fever or hand foot mouth disease (HFMD) is highly contagious and spreads through contact. There is no vaccine available for this virus yet.
If someone is infected then it is necessary to stay in isolation. Utensils, clothing and other items used by infected persons should be cleaned to prevent the flu from spreading. Experts recommend rest, plenty of fluids and warm water sponges to relieve irritation and rashes for patients infected with tomato fever.
Indian states where cases of tomato fever have been reported
According to the Lancet, the other affected areas in Kerala are Anchal, Aryankavu and Neduvathur. It also said that the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have also been alerted due to the outbreak of the disease.
“Additionally, 26 children (aged 1-9 years) have been reported to have the disease in Odisha by the Regional Medical Research Center in Bhubaneswar. Till date, apart from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Odisha, there is no other region in India affected by the virus,” the Lancet report said.
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