"UNDERSTANDING TOMATO FLU": A NEW VIRAL INFECTION LINKED TO COXSACKIEVIRUS A16 - CURRENT INSIGHTS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Tomato flu is an infectious disease that is caused by an unexplained viral organism detected first in Kerala, India in May 2022. The infection was named ‘Tomato flu’ due to its main symptom, the tomato-shaped blisters all over the body.[1] The presentation initially starts as a red-coloured small blister which then enlarge to resemble the shape of a tomato, hence the name ‘Tomato flu’, also synonymously known as ‘Tomato fever.[2] It predominantly affects children below the age of 5 years. Strong immunity against the tomato flu virus might be the reason for its low incidence in adults.[3] However, adults might act as carriers transmitting the virus while handling the children. Tomato flu is considered to be a “Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease”(HFMD), the common viral infection according to Dr. Amar S Fettle, Epidemiologist and State Nodal Officer of Kerala.[4] HFMD is caused by viruses that belong to the enterovirus genus such as polioviruses, coxsackie viruses, echo viruses, and other enteroviruses. Coxsackie virus A16 is the most frequent cause of HFMD. Coxsackie virus A16 infection produces only a mild form of the disease in HFMD Without medical care, almost all patients recover in about 7 to 10 days.[5] It is frequently confused with foot-and-mouth disease, also known as hoof-and-mouth disease, which affects cattle, sheep, and swine. The two illnesses, however, are unrelated as they are brought on by different viruses. Infection is transmitted from one person to another by direct contact with the infectious virus, which is present in the saliva, blister fluid, nose and throat secretions, and stool of those who are infected. The virus is most frequently transferred by people's hands, fomites, and by contact with surfaces that have been exposed to the virus. Even though infected people typically show no symptoms in the first week of the sickness, they are most contagious during that time. HFMD is n 32Most patients have only minimal clinical characteristics. Since enteroviruses are widespread, adults and older children are likely to be immune. Respiratory droplets, contact with blister fluids, and contact with contaminated faeces are the three main routes that enterovirus is spread.[6]