Its name may make you smile, but it’s very serious: since May 6, 2022, 82 cases of “tomato fever” (or “tomato flu”) have been spotted in Kerala, a region located in the south from India.
Tomato fever: what is it, exactly? According to the first information relayed in particular by our colleagues from India Today, the “tomato flu” would be a disease of viral origin. For Pr. Jacob John, virologist at the Christian Medical College of Vellore (India), it could be a question of a new version of the foot-hand-mouth syndrome.
A highly contagious disease that affects children
The “tomato flu” is characterized by the appearance of rashes all over the body: round and red blisters, extremely painful, hence the name given to this new pathology. Besides skin symptoms, “tomato fever” could also cause fever, muscle and joint pain, abnormal fatigue, nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea, sneezing and rhinorrhea (running nose), or even more or less severe dehydration.
Tomato fever would particularly affect children under 5 years old. Indian health authorities point out that this new disease is probably very contagious: patients must therefore imperatively be isolated and respect strict hygiene measures.
Tomato fever: is it serious? For the moment, the health authorities lack information regarding this “tomato flu”. Interviewed by India Today, Dr. Subhash Chandra, a doctor at Amrita Hospital (India), believes that “it is probably not a fatal disease, although it is probably very contagious. (…) Patients should especially take care to stay well hydrated“. Currently, tomato fever is only treated symptomatically. Keep an eye out…
Read also :
- 2 new notifiable diseases
- West Nile virus (or West Nile virus): transmission, symptoms and treatments
- 6 Infections You Shouldn’t Neglect During Pregnancy
