It is caused by Coxsackie A 16 virus. Recently, ‘Tomato Flu’ has been reported in some parts of Kerala among children under the age of five. After the reports of these cases surfaced, the neighboring state, Tamil Nadu, also increased surveillance at its borders.
How did tomato flu start?
The infection is caused by Coxsackievirus A16. Once infected, the virus produces red and painful blisters on the skin, hence referred to as “Tomato Flu” or “Tomato Fever”. Experts think using such names can be misleading because people might believe that the virus comes from tomatoes.
How do you treat tomato virus?
The treatment of tomato flu includes isolation, rest, plenty of fluids, and a hot water sponge for the relief of irritation and rashes. In addition to that, supportive therapy of paracetamol for fever and body ache and other symptomatic treatments are required.
What are the symptoms of tomato virus?
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 is meant by tomato virus?
Tomato flu gained its name on the basis of the eruption of red and painful blisters throughout the body that gradually enlarge to the size of a tomato. These blisters resemble those seen with the monkeypox virus in young individuals.
How long does tomato flu last?
The rashes begin in one to three days of fever and can last for up to two to four weeks.” The Centre issued advisory also clearly addressed that tomato flu is not at all related to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), monkeypox, dengue, and/or chikungunya.
How long does tomato fever last?
This might take up to 5–7 days. Children should be repeatedly told about proper hygiene. Infected child should not be allowed to share toys, clothes, food, or other items with other non-infected children. Cleanliness of surroundings and regular sanitation should be ensured, adds Dr Dande.
How do you prevent tomato viruses?
Preventing tomato plant disease
- Rotate your crops.
- Pinch off leaves with any signs of disease immediate and dispose of them in the trash to keep a possible infection from spreading.
- Don’t work in the garden when tomato foliage is wet or you may inadvertently spread pathogens from plant to plant.
How is tomato virus spread?
The virus may be spread by contact with soiled diapers or unclean surfaces as well, or when children put items exposed to the virus in their mouth, the Lancet notes.
Can plant viruses be cured?
Presently, curing plants once they have been infected by a virus is not feasible, unlike bacteria or fungi that can be treated with antibacterial or antifungal agents, respectively.
Is tomato flu airborne?
Transmitted via close contact and surfaces
He added that while the tomato flu virus may be a variant or “after-effect” of hand foot and mouth disease, there is no evidence the disease is airborne or even droplet spread based on the Lancet report.
Is tomato flu painful?
The primary symptoms of ‘Tomato Flu’ in children are similar to those of chikungunya. These symptoms include rashes, intense joint pain, high fever, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, dehydration, body aches and diarrhoea.
How serious is tomato flu?
Reports of the non-fatal, yet contagious, disease quickly caught on in the headlines, with news outlets reporting a rare, “new” viral infection. However, there are no data to confirm that tomato flu is in fact a new virus — or even a flu at all.
Can tomato diseases spread to other plants?
Bacterial diseases of tomatoes can be highly destructive to plants grown outside as well as those grown in greenhouses. Usually introduced by infected seed or transplants, bacteria can reproduce rapidly and can be spread via water, gardening tools, and insects.
What is the home remedy for tomato fever?
07/7Tomato fever treatment
“Because tomato flu is similar to chikungunya and dengue as well as hand, foot, and mouth disease, treatment is also similar—ie, isolation, rest, plenty of fluids, and hot water sponge for the relief of irritation and rashes,” the report says.
What is the medicine for tomato fever?
Tomato Flu is self-limiting. There are no specific drugs for it. It is suggested that children who have got infected from Tomato Flue should take rest, consume plenty of fluids and take hot water sponge. Those having rashes should remain in isolation for five-seven days.
Is tomato flu viral or bacterial?
A new, highly contagious viral infection that has been dubbed “tomato flu” is spreading among children in India, the country’s Health Ministry said this week. At least 82 children younger than 5 had been infected by late July in the southern state of Kerala, after the first patient was identified there in May.
How can you tell if you have tomato fever?
“Tomato fever or tomato flu is a red blister which appears on the skin with joint pain and fever. This is very similar to hand, foot and mouth disease. It’s a viral infection and it’s not a life-threatening infection.
Can we bath during tomato fever?
Consult a doctor if the child faces any symptoms of tomato fever. Don’t allow the child to scratch blisters. Ask the patient to take a bath using warm water. Give proper rest to the child.
Is hand Foot mouth disease same as tomato flu?
The tomato flu is a variant of the HFMD wherein the rashes on skin are cherry red in colour, leading to it being named so. While in HFMD, the child may or may not have fever, in cases of tomato flu, fever is present.
Is it OK to water tomatoes every day?
Water newly planted tomatoes well to make sure soil is moist and ideal for growing. Early in the growing season, watering plants daily in the morning. As temperatures increase, you might need to water tomato plants twice a day.