On the heels of COVID, monkeypox, and polio outbreaks, tomato flu has understandably caused alarm. But experts say The Lancet letter—which is not peer-reviewed—has been blown out of proportion. “Tomato flu” is likely just a version of the common childhood virus called hand, 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
The Lancet authors 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 in The Lancet involve several symptoms:
FatigueNauseaVomitingDiarrheaFever Dehydration Joint and muscle pain
Assuming the condition is a 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.
