What exactly is Tomato Flu?  

Following the recent cases of food poisoning due to the spread of the bacterium Shigella, Kerala has once again been exposed to a viral disease, known as the tomato flu. It was first detected in the Kollam district and had affected as many as 80 children below the age of five.  
What is tomato flu? 
Tomato flu is a mysterious fever that was discovered recently in Kerala among children aged below five years. The name of the flu can be attributed to the red coloured rashes and blisters that are found on the infected person’s body. These look very similar to tomatoes. At present, the medical community is still doubtful whether it is a viral fever or an aftereffect of other viral diseases such as chikungunya or dengue.   

Symptoms of tomato flu 
The tomato flu has typical viral flu symptoms such as high fever accompanied by coughing, sneezing and runny nose, body ache, joint swellings, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration and stomach cramps. However, the primary and strange symptoms associated with the tomato flu are rashes, blisters and other forms of skin irritation. Other than these, the affected individuals also show signs of discolouration of hands, knees, buttocks. Unfortunately, the exact cause of the tomato flu is still unknown and is under investigation. But the good news is, the tomato flu is not fatal. 

Preventive measures for tomato flu 
Although doctors are yet unsure about the real reason behind the tomato flu, they have warned that the disease is highly contagious among kids. As a result, health officials have warned to isolate children who are showing the symptoms associated with the flu. Proper hydration along with cleanliness and hygiene have also been suggested. Health officials have also reported that the flu is self-limiting, that is, it has the capacity to resolve over time on its own if suitable care is provided.