The word “chikungunya” comes f” or “to walk bent over,” describing the stooped appearance of patients with joint pain from the Makonde language means “that which bends up,” “to become contorted
The chikungunya virus is predominantly transmitted by a bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito.
The incubation period is 3 to 7 days after the mosquito bite, and the acute illness lasts 3 to 10 days.
How can we differentiate between fever and chikungunya?
The most prevalent symptoms are:
In normal fever headache, malaise, muscle pain are the common symptoms sometimes accompanied with cold and cough.
In chikungunya, there is involvement of joints having pain and swelling along with a headache, muscle pain or rash. But most patients recover from the fever within a week, but the joint pain has been known to persist for months.
How can we diagnose the disease?
Serological tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), may confirm the presence of IgM and IgG anti-chikungunya antibodies.
How to minimize the risk?
•Travelers to areas where the virus is circulating can take precautions against mosquito bites.
•Cover up exposed skin by wearing long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and hats.
•Use insect repellent that contains as an active ingredient oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD
•Stay and sleep in rooms with screens or air conditioning.
•Use bed nets if you are sleeping outdoors.
The homoeopathic approach in Chikungunya?
Homeopathy acts effectively and rapidly in treating cases of chikungunya.
Homeopathy offers many medicines which may help in Chikungunya. These include medicines like Eupatorium-perf, Pyroginum, Rhus-tox, Cedron, Influenzinum, China, Arnica, Belladonna, Bryonia etc.
Many homoeopaths consider Eupatorium perf. as a preventive medicine for Chikungunya.
It is recommended that before taking any medication do consult a homoeopathic physician. Never do self-medications as every case has its own remedy.
