Context
Doctors have sounded an alarm over the “emergence of a new non-life-threatening virus called tomato flu among children below five years of age.
?What is Tomato Flu?
- Tomato fever is a rare contagious disease of viral nature in humans whose origins are not yet known.
- However, medical experts have opined that it might be an aftereffect of dengue or chikungunya.
- It gets its name from the tomato-shaped red rashes that it causes on the body of infected individuals.
- The flu is said to affect children below five years of age.
Symptoms
- Major symptoms include-
- Rashes
- Diarrhoea
- Dehydration
- In certain cases, discolouration of hands and knees has also been observed.
Treatment
- This flu is a self-limiting one and so far, there is no specific drug for its cure.
- Symptoms vanish over time on their own with medicinal support.
- Utensils, clothes and other items used by the infected persons must be sanitised to prevent the flu from spreading.
- Fluid intake should be increased to counter dehydration.
Preventive measures
- Contact doctor immediately
- Do not scratch the blisters
- Stay hydrated by drinking boiled water.
- Maintain proper hygiene.
- Avoid close contact with the infected person.
- Use warm water for bathing
- Take proper rest to avoid its long-lasting effect
