Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Tomato Flu: An Unusual Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Presentation

Tomato flu is a viral illness that emerged in India in 2022, primarily affecting children under five years old. It is characterized by flu-like symptoms and distinctive red blisters resembling tomatoes, which has led to its colloquial name . Although the exact cause remains under investigation, many experts believe tomato flu is a variant or atypical presentation of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), a common childhood infection caused by enteroviruses such as Coxsackievirus A16 .