What Is Tomato Flu? Is The Flu Infecting Children Below 5 Years Contagious? Know The Precautions

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Bengaluru: Even as people of India continue to battle the fear of COVID-19, a new flu is doing rounds, and the worst affected by it are children. Called ‘Tomato flu’ or ‘Tomato fever’, it has been detected in Kerala, where 80 kids have been affected by this mystery ailment.

After the outbreak in Kerala, neighbouring Tamil Nadu has increased surveillance to prevent the Tomato flu from spreading while Karnataka has sounded high alert.

The infection gets its name due to the blisters appearing like tomatoes on the body of the infected kids. Infected children get red blisters of the size of tomatoes on the body along with high fever, severe body ache, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, joint swelling and fatigue. In some cases, it may also change the colour of the legs and the hands.

As the symptoms are similar to Chikungunya, it is also attributed as the after-effect of Chikungunya. Doctors have advised parents to keep kids hydrated along with proper hygiene during the summer and rainy days, stated reports in Times Of India.

How can tomato fever be treated? How to take care of it?

Like other flu, tomato fever is also contagious so the families have been advised to keep infected child in isolation as this could spread rapidly from one person to another.

It is essential to prevent children from scratching the blisters caused by the flu. Proper rest and hygiene is also advised. Utensils, clothes and other items used by the infected persons must be sanitised to prevent the flu from spreading.

Fluid intake would also help counteract dehydration. Most importantly, it is important to seek your doctor’s advice if you notice the above-mentioned symptoms.