Hand, foot, and mouth disease is most common in children under the age of five, but it can actually effect anyone. Although the illness is usually not severe, it is highly infectious. It spreads quickly in schools and day care facilities. Transmitting. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is easily transferred.

 

 

HFMD that was Misdiagnosed as Being a New Virus

Leading health professionals and medical experts in India are enraged by media reports presenting hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) — a common, fairly benign viral disease impacting children — as being caused by a new virus liable for what has been renamed “tomato flu.”

 

Media has been Blamed for Exaggerating that HFMD is Tomato Flu

The reports appear to be from the Lancet Respiratory Medicine’s ‘correspondence’ chapter, which stated on August 17:

Just as we are dealing with the possible emergence of the fourth wave of COVID-19, a new disease identified as  tomato fever or tomato flu, has popped up in India in the state of Kerala in children under the age of five.

 

Despite Scientific Studies and Official Media Releases, Misrepresentation Occurred

Reghukumaar, one of a group of prominent Indian physician whom had authored to The Lancet, informed SciDev.Net. about:

HFMD is a physical disease that shouldn’t be confused to chikungunya or dengue. Furthermore, naming illnesses after veggies is not evidence based.

Moreover, Reghukumaar requested the unsubstantiated article be withdrawn as as quickly as possible.

All in all, this news piece has turned into a origin of media spectacle, medical misrepresentation, and unneeded warning in India.