What Is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species. Chikungunya has become a growing concern globally. Chikengunya is typically found in tropical and subtropical region. This disease is originated in Africa and has since spread to Asia, America and other regions. With its debilitating joint pain and potential long term effects, its necessary to understand the disease and take steps to prevent it.
Causes
The virus spreads through the mosquito bites, not from person to person through bodily fluids or contact. This means if you are sick with chikungunya you wont pass it on to a caregiver or family member. Getting bitten by a mosquito that, infected with the virus causes a person to get the virus. Some cases have been reported of healthcare providers getting the virus after handling the blood of an infected person. This means transmission through blood is possible, but its very rare.
Symptoms Of Chikungunya
The symptoms of chikungunya typically appears within 3 to 7 days of the mosquito bite and include,
1.Severe joint pain and swelling.
2.Fever
3.Headache
4. Muscles Pain
5. Rash
6. Nausea and Fatigue
The virus causes symptoms like fever and joint pain, which can become severe. The name chikungunya means ''bent over due to the joint pain the illness is known to cause.
Treatment
There is no particular medication to treat chikungunya, but symptoms can be managed with,
Rest
Fluids
Pain Reliever
Anti inflammatory medications
Most of the people get recovered from this illness within a week, but some of them have lasting joint pain
Risk Factor
New-borns, older adults 65 plus and people with certain health conditions are at risk for more severe complications from the virus. These health conditions include
* Diabetes
*High blood pressure
*Heart disease
Death from this virus is very rare. There have been several cases where a person reports ongoing heart, eye or neurological symptoms after recovering from the virus
Prevention
Preventing mosquito bites is crucial to avoiding chikungunya. Use insect repellent. There are sprays, creams and even candles and other devices to keep mosquitos away from you. Make sure to read the instructions labelled is safe and applied correctly. Wear clothes that cover your arms, legs, hands and feet. There are also sprays which you can directly apply to your clothing. Remove sitting water from your surrounding areas. Examples of places that attract sitting water are planters, old tires, buckets, birdbath or any other container that can hold still water. Mosquitos like to lay eggs in or near water. Cover strollers, wagons and tents with mosquito netting. Make sure your doors and windows are closed. Avoid travelling to areas with an outbreak. Stay indoors when possible.
Diet For Chikungunya Patient
A well balanced diet rich in essential nutrients can help manage chikungunya symptoms and support recovery.
* Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, coconut water and herbal teas to help alleviate fever and joint pain
* Take foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids such as salmon and walnuts, antioxidants like berries, leafy greens and turmeric can help reduce inflammation and joint pain.
* Stick to bland, easily digestable foods like crackers, toast, plain rice, bananas and apple sauce to manage nausea and fatigue.
* Include food high in vitamin C ( citrus fruits, bell pepper, broccoli| can help boost the immune system and reduce oxidative stress
* Divide your daily food intake into smaller, more manageable portions to avoid overwhelming your digestive system.
* Avoid heavy, greasy or spicy foods that can exacerbate nausea and discomfort.
* Consider supplements like vitamin D, calcium and magnesium it may help alleviate joint pain and support overall health. However, consult your doctor before adding any supplement to your diet.
There are some specific foods that may be beneficial for chikungunya patients include...
* Ginger
* Garlic
* Papaya
* Pineapple
* Green tea
* Chicken soup.
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