Chikungunya is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever frequently accompanied by joint pain. Other common signs and symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. The joint pain is often very debilitating, but usually lasts for a few days or may be prolonged to weeks.
Most patients recover fully, but in some cases joint pain may persist for several months, or even years. Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints. Serious complications are not common, but in older people, the disease can rarely contribute to the cause of death.
The virus is transmitted from human to human by the bites of infected female mosquitoes. Most commonly, the mosquitoes involved are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two species which can also transmit other mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue. These mosquitoes can be found biting throughout daylight hours and are found biting outdoors, but Aedes aegypti will also readily feed indoors.
After the bite of an infected mosquito, onset of illness occurs usually between 4 and 8 days but can range from 2 to 12 days. Serological tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), can confirm the diagnosis with presence of IgM and IgG anti-chikungunya antibodies.
The most common signs and symptoms of Chikungunya are:
Flu- chills, fever, headache and aching joints
(Joint pain can particularly occur in hands, wrist, ankles and feet which can last from weeks to months and can even continue for a year)
Nausea, Fatigue and Rashes.
Treatment of chikungunya is directed primarily at relieving the symptoms, including joint pain and rehydration and later you can have prescribed dose of paracetamol, whenever you have fever. Intake of lots of fluids also help in quick recovery.
Prevention and control relies heavily on reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled container habitats that support breeding of the mosquitoes.
1. Wear full length cloths to minimize skin exposure.
2. Apply skin repellents to exposed skin.
3.Use nets especially while sleeping during the day hours.
4. Don’t let water accumulate near your surroundings.
5. Check for overflowing garbage bins.
6. Empty flower vessels and change the water to avoid mosquito breeding.
7. Make sure the bathrooms are dry and toilet seats are down when not in use.
8. Mosquitos are generally attracted to smells like perfume and sweat. Shower to remove sweat and use unscented shampoos.
9. Spray mosquito repellent that contains DEET, if you have balcony garden or one in the veranda. You can grow marigold and lemongrass as they are natural insect repellent.
10. Use plug-in, smokeless mosquito repellent and Limit the use of smoke coils to outside or well ventilated indoor areas.
All the above information is provided by Dr. Narendra Prasad, consultant, General Medicines, Columbia Asia Hospital, Bengaluru.
The Columbia Asia Group is owned by more than 150 private equity companies, fund management organizations and individual investors. The group currently operates eleven facilities in India and has presence in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Kolkata, Mysore, Patiala and Pune. The company also operates hospitals in Malaysia (11), Vietnam (3), and Indonesia (3). The Indian management operations are managed from its office in Bangalore.
Precaution is better than cure. So stay protected, stay safe.
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Prevention is better than cure and this post is need of time to create
Awareness 🙂
Yeah prevention is always better than cure.. Its right time to be aware
This is a very detailed and useful article. It's very important to be aware
Thanks Amrita, yup being aware is much needed as it's spreading a lot
Thanks for the detailed article Yogita! It is very helpful to be aware of such things especially in times of distress when the chances of anyone being contracted by such disease are high. I have been having similar symptoms, going to visit the doctor asap! Actually I had read about Chikun few days ago, but your article made me seriously consider it and give attention to my symptoms! So thanks for this!
Please visit the doc ASAP.. And if u can't, have plenty of fluids and paracetamol for fever(if any) 🙂
Well explained and detailed. Needful in these times of Chikunguniya outbreak. Thanks for sharing this post.
Very good information..Thanks for sharing with us 🙂
The effects of this disease sound so painful. Very informative post Yogita