Chikungunya is a dangerous disease which is caused by a virus which spreads rapidly through Chikungunya mosquito bites. Although it is not life threatening, but it can cause a lot of damage to the human body with effects like headache, joint pain, joint swelling, rashes, and muscle pain amongst others. The disease varies from individual to individual and can have different effects and can also last for different amount of time periods, until and unless the virus stays in the body. It is still a disease about which people are not much aware. Hence, in the following paragraphs, we are going to explain all you need to know about Chikungunya.
What is Chikungunya?
Firstly, we should know in technical terms what exactly Chikungunya is? Literally meaning “to walk bent-over”, Chikungunya is a viral disease is spread by a Female Mosquito’s bite. The virus starts affecting the body within 2-3 days and can last from a week to even up to a year. The Chikungunya virus enters a main bloodstream and has no available cure, which is why only the symptoms are treated. So first, let us check what the symptoms are.
Causes of Chikungunya
Chikungunya is one of the deadly mosquito borne diseases. The female mosquito carries this deadly virus and spread it through their bites. On coming in contact with the main bloodstream, the virus then divides itself and spread itself through blood flow in various parts of the body. The virus can spread only through blood contact.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Chikungunya
The symptoms of Chikungunya usually start to show from 2 to 7 days from the mosquito bite. The most common symptoms are high Chikungunya fever and mild to severe joint pain. Some other common symptoms of this disease also include headache, muscle pain and soreness, rashes, weakness, numbness and swelling in the joints.
The early signs which you might feel on coming in contact with the Chikungunya virus are high fever or pain in joints. You will usually start to feel these signs after 2-3 days from the mosquito bite. The fever and the pain can be mild or high. Besides this, other common Chikungunya symptoms include rashes or headache.
Risk Factors of Chikungunya
The worst thing about Chikungunya is that there is no cure in the world for it. No vaccines or oral medication have been made for this disease and only the symptoms are treated thereby as a result. The risk factors for Chikungunya include dirty surroundings, areas with collected waters, wearing fewer clothes and spending more times outside.
According to various researches and statistics, it has been found that if a person is close to any of their above mentioned risk factors, then he has more chances of coming in contact with the Chikungunya virus than the others which can have long term effects on the bones.
Prevention from Chikungunya
The best way to prevent coming in contact with the Chikungunya virus is to try and avoid mosquito bites.
- So for Chikungunya prevention, you should sleep under air conditioner or mosquito bed.
- Try wearing full sleeved clothes and do not allow any standing water nearby your residence.
- You can use mosquito repellents for protection.
- Keep your surroundings clean.
- Keep yourself hydrated as additional precautionary methods.
Diet for Chikungunya Patients
If you get infected by the Chikungunya virus, then you should have a proper healthy diet during Chikungunya for quick relief. You need to keep yourself hydrated and hence you should have plenty of fluids including water, soups, pulses and broths. These help in flushing out the virus quickly from the body.
Besides this, food for Chikungunya patients should also include lots of leafy vegetables. The patient should eat foods and fruits rich in selenium, chromium, zinc and Vitamins A, C and E which increases your immunity as well.
Natural Cure and Home Remedies for Chikungunya
There are a lot of home remedies, natural treatments and Chikungunya Ayurvedic treatment. We are naming a few here.
- Giloy – This herb is greatly effective against Chikungunya virus. You can either boil its stem and drink the water or buy Giloy capsules and take two per day.
- Papaya Leaves – Take few Papaya Clean them and blend them with some water. Drink this juice daily for quick relief.
- Turmeric – Add a teaspoon of Turmeric in warm Milk and drink one glass a day. It can cure Chikungunya really quick.
Besides these, some other treatments worth mentioning include Chili Peppers, Garlic, Physiotherapy, Exercises, Massages, and Cold Compresses.
Treatment and Medicines for Chikungunya
Sadly, despite all the advancement in science and medicine, no Chikungunya vaccine or specific medication is available for treating Chikungunya. Therefore one has to take medicine for Chikungunya symptoms to get cured.
- Firstly, be aware and avoid taking Aspirin or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Take plenty of rest, stay hydrated and contact your doctor as soon as possible.
- It is certainly treatable, so relax and stay calm.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions and you shall be fine soon.