In war zone

Shalini Saksena tells you all about Chikungunya

Precautions

Removing trash/standing water from/ around residence and proper use of mosquito repellent oil, mats, sprays and protective clothing.

Therapy

Only supportive management is to be done. Vaccines are still under research process.

Dangers

The old people have already weak immune system and this fever accentuates the condition leading to liver and kidney damage, paralysis and cerebral problems like dementia. Small children are not able to face the severe symptoms of this condition and may die during illness

— Dr Atul Ahuja, Vatika Hospital

All about timing

Timing of bite of Aedes Albopictus has strong preference for human feeding and biting with bimodal peak typically around two hours before sunset (the largest peak of activity) and 8:30 am (smaller peak) night activity is minimal/absent

History

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease first described during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952. It is an RNA virus that belongs to the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae. The name “chikungunya” derives from a word in the Kimakonde language, meaning “to become contorted”, and describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain (arthralgia).                        — WHO

Symptoms to look for

• High grade fever with severe arthralgia
• Pharyngitis, conjunctivitis
• Cervical & generalized lymphadenopathy

— Dr Deepak Verma (Consultant - Internal Medicine), Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad

Vulnerable

Almost similar to dengue fever. The fever wreaks havoc on the immune system of infected person. Aged and small children are especially vulnerable. They are likely to face very dangerous and fatal consequences.

Chikungunya doesn’t have any specific vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat the virus. What you can do is treat the symptoms by getting plenty of rest, drink fluids to prevent dehydration, take medicine such as paracetamol to reduce fever and pain.

Do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking additional medication.

Also if you have chikungunya, prevent mosquito bites for the first week of your illness as during the first week of infection, chikungunya virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to a mosquito through mosquito bites.

— Dr Manisha Arora, senior consultant in Internal Medicine at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute

Facts

• Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.
• Joint pain is often debilitating and can vary in duration.
• The disease shares some clinical signs with dengue and zika and can be misdiagnosed in areas where they are common.
• There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.
•  The proximity of mosquito breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for chikungunya.
•  The disease mostly occurs in Africa, Asia and the Indian subcontinent. However a major outbreak in 2015 affected several countries of the Region of the Americas.

— Courtesy WHO

AYURVEDA SHOWS THE WAY

Ayurveda describes a disease known as Sandhi Jwara (meaning: fever of the joints) which is very similar to Chikungunya. Ayurvedic treatment aims at controlling fever and providing relief from the symptoms. Since Ayurvedic treatment is highly personalised according to the patient’s health status and Prakriti, take medicines only after consulting an Ayurvedic doctor.

Rejuvenating herbs and formulations are prescribed to enhance immunity level of the person and provide relief. Treatment will get rid of all the symptoms such as tenderness, swelling, pain and stiffness and help you continue your normal activities.

Remedy for Joint Pain

• Mix 1 tsp turmeric powder in a glass of lukewarm milk and drink.
• Apply paste of fenugreek seeds in the affected area.
• Make a fine paste of fresh ginger (3-4 inches long) with olive oil and apply it on the affected area. Wrap with a gauze to hold the paste in place. Keep this on for 10-15 minutes.

Home remedy for fever:

• Add 10-12 basil leaves in one cup of water along with a piece of ginger. Boil the water until it is reduces to half. Add a spoon of honey and drink it. You can prepare the drink twice or thrice a day, depending on your condition.
• Crush two fresh cloves of garlic and add it to a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Drink this mixture twice a day.
• Put 10-15 raisins in 2 cups of water in a saucepan and simmer till solution becomes 1/3. Drink it lukewarm. Prepare and drink this twice or thrice a day as required.

Dr Partap Chauhan, director Jiva Ayurveda