With our eyes still on the pandemic (whose data indicate that it has returned to pre-omicron levels in Spain) and alerted by it (almost 20,000 cases in Europe), a new disease has captured all the attention.
It is a new virus known as influenza or tomato feverand that has appeared in the state of Kerala, in India, with a population of more than 34 million people.
As recently published in the British Medical Journal, “The viral infection is in an endemic state and is considered not to be life-threatening; however, due to the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, vigilant management is desirable to avoid further outbreaks.”
The condition was first detected in the Kollam district of Kerala last May. Until July 26, 2022, 82 cases have been detected. All of them, in children under five years of age. The virus has already spread to other areas of India and thus “prevention measures are being taken to control the spread of the viral infection.”
Fever and rashes: the symptoms of tomato flu
Although the symptoms of tomato flu could be confused with SARS-CoV-2, since both viruses present with high fever, fatigue, and body aches, it is not related to COVID-19.
Even so, the symptoms are much closer to another disease: . A virus that is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.
In both ailments (also in the coronavirus), the symptoms begin with a high fever and intense pain in the joints. But in both tomato fever and chikungunya, a skin rash also appears with red, painful blisters. And hence, its name, since the skin lesions “increase gradually until they reach the size of a tomato.”
It is named for the blisters that enlarge to the size of a tomato.
As with other viral infections, other common symptoms include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and dehydration. As it shares symptoms with other diseases, molecular and serological tests must be carried out to confirm or rule out contagion by tomato flu or another ailment.
Tomato flu is highly contagious. Therefore, confirmed cases, as well as suspected cases, must be isolated for 5 to 7 days.
You have to follow very strict hygienic-sanitary measures and not share clothes, food and toys with other children who are not infected.
Why are children more vulnerable?
As the authors point out in the research, the doctors Vivek P Chavda, Kaushika Patel and Vasso Apostolopoulos, “Children are at higher risk of exposure to tomato flu, as viral infections are common in this age group.” But it is not the only reason why almost a hundred minors have been infected with this disease.
The use of diaperscontact with contaminated surfaces with the virus and the close contact with infected, are other ways that explain the spread of tomato flu. Thus, the health authorities warn that if it is not controlled and prevented, it could spread to adults, which would be a serious public health problem.
There are no vaccines or antiviral drugs available for the treatment of tomato fever. Prevention is the only remedy available to the citizens of the areas affected by this viral infection that has spread across India.