Key TakeawaysA non-life-threatening illness referred to as “tomato flu” has emerged among young children in India.Experts believe tomato flu is not a new virus, but rather a variation of hand, foot, and mouth disease.Distinguishing symptoms include large red blisters, as well as mouth ulcers.Cases resolve on their own within two weeks.

Key Takeaways

A non-life-threatening illness referred to as “tomato flu” has emerged among young children in India.Experts believe tomato flu is not a new virus, but rather a variation of hand, foot, and mouth disease.Distinguishing symptoms include large red blisters, as well as mouth ulcers.Cases resolve on their own within two weeks.

On the heels of COVID, monkeypox, and polio outbreaks, tomato flu has understandably caused alarm. But experts sayThe Lancetletter—which is not peer-reviewed—has been blown out of proportion. “Tomato flu” is likely just a version of the common childhood virus calledhand, foot, and mouth disease. It does not lead to serious illness.

“Nobody has brought evidence that there is a new virus or new viral sequencing,” John Mourani, MD, medical director of infectious disease at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, told Verywell. In fact, lab sequencing showed two U.K. children who were thought to have contracted tomato flu after returning from vacation in India were infected with Coxsackie A16—an enterovirus that is one of the causes of hand, foot, and mouth disease.

Still, skin lesions associated with tomato flu can reportedly be larger than the flat red spots indicative of traditional hand, foot, and mouth disease. Here’s what we know about its symptoms.

Hallmark Skin Symptoms

TheLancetauthors indicate the red blisters and rash associated with tomato flu can appear similar to monkeypox lesions. But Mourani said people may experience a sore throat, which is not a symptom of monkeypox.

The location of lesions also helps differentiate it from other conditions like monkeypox.

“A special thing with this specific strain of Coxsackie is that it includes lesions on the palms and soles of your feet,”Zachary Hoy, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Pediatrix, told Verywell. Hoy added the lesions are typically spherical and filled with clear fluid.

Other Tomato Flu Symptoms

In addition to blisters and rashes, the cases of tomato flu documented inThe Lancetinvolve several symptoms:

Assuming the conditionisa type of hand, foot, and mouth disease, Hoy said painful mouth ulcers are also quite common. One of the children in the U.K. developed mouth ulcers two days after the rash.

Is It Treatable?

Hoy said tomato flu lasts about 10 to 14 days and will resolve on its own. There are no antivirals designed to treat it, so symptom management boils down to tactics like sponge baths and upping fluid intake.

If you notice any abnormal rash on your child’s skin, Hoy recommends taking photos to show a physician and to document how it changes over time. This will help the provider rule out any similar-looking condition and understand how the condition is progressing.

2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chavda VP, Patel K, Apostolopoulos V.Tomato flu outbreak in India.Lancet Respir Med. Published online August 17, 2022. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00300-9Tang JW, Iqbal A, Hamal S, et al.Kerala tomato flu - a manifestation of hand foot and mouth disease.Pediatr Infect Dis J. Published online August 19, 2022. doi:10.1097/INF.0000000000003668

2 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chavda VP, Patel K, Apostolopoulos V.Tomato flu outbreak in India.Lancet Respir Med. Published online August 17, 2022. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00300-9Tang JW, Iqbal A, Hamal S, et al.Kerala tomato flu - a manifestation of hand foot and mouth disease.Pediatr Infect Dis J. Published online August 19, 2022. doi:10.1097/INF.0000000000003668

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Chavda VP, Patel K, Apostolopoulos V.Tomato flu outbreak in India.Lancet Respir Med. Published online August 17, 2022. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00300-9Tang JW, Iqbal A, Hamal S, et al.Kerala tomato flu - a manifestation of hand foot and mouth disease.Pediatr Infect Dis J. Published online August 19, 2022. doi:10.1097/INF.0000000000003668

Chavda VP, Patel K, Apostolopoulos V.Tomato flu outbreak in India.Lancet Respir Med. Published online August 17, 2022. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00300-9

Tang JW, Iqbal A, Hamal S, et al.Kerala tomato flu - a manifestation of hand foot and mouth disease.Pediatr Infect Dis J. Published online August 19, 2022. doi:10.1097/INF.0000000000003668

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