|
Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans
by the bite of infected Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)
is a member of the genus Alphavirus,
in the family Togaviridae.
CHIKV was first isolated from the blood of a febrile patient in Tanzania in
1953, and has since been identified repeatedly in west, central and southern
Africa and many areas of Asia, and has been cited as the cause of numerous
human epidemics in those areas since that time. The virus circulates
throughout much of Africa, with transmission thought to occur mainly between
mosquitoes and monkeys.
Symptoms of Chikungunya
includes fever, debilitating arthralgia (joint pain), swelling of joints, stiffness
of joints, myalgia (muscular pain), headache, fatigue (weakness), nausea, vomiting and rash.
The incubation period (time from infection to illness) can
be 2-12 days, but is usually 3-7 days. "Silent" CHIKV infections (infections without
illness) do occur; but how commonly this happens is not yet known.
Acute chikungunya fever
typically lasts a few days to a couple of weeks, but some patients have
prolonged fatigue lasting several weeks. Additionally, some patients have
reported incapacitating joint pain, or arthritis which may last for weeks or
months. No deaths, neuro-invasive cases, or hemorrhagic cases related
to CHIKV infection have been conclusively documented in the scientific
literature.
CHIKV infection (whether clinical or silent) is thought to
confer life-long immunity.
CHIKV is spread
by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they
feed on a person infected with CHIKV. Monkeys, and possibly other wild
animals, may also serve as reservoirs of the virus. Infected mosquitoes can
then spread the virus to other humans when they bite. Aedes aegypti
(the yellow fever mosquito), a household container breeder and aggressive
daytime biter which is attracted to humans, is the primary vector of CHIKV
to humans. Aedes albopictus (the Asian tiger mosquito) may also play
a role in human transmission in Asia, and various forest-dwelling mosquito
species in Africa have been found to be infected with the virus.
Effective treatment for
Chikungunya fever is available in
homeopathy.
Homeopathy has very effective treatment for Chikungunya. After diagnosis of
Chikungunya, homeopathic treatment should be started as early as possible.
Homeopathic treatment can also be given along with conventional treatment
(allopathy) if desired. Conventional treatment consists of only symptomatic treatment
of fever, stiffness, joint pain etc. of this viral illness, whereas homeopathic
medicines give better and comparatively long lasting relief from
the disease. Rhus Tox, Eupatorium Perf, Bryonia, Arnica are the few
homeopathic remedies that help in Chikungunya but more accurate and
effective remedy can be chosen by a homeopathic doctor according to clinical
picture of that particular case. Homeopathy works effectively in all viral
diseases. Homeopathic pills are simply chewed (dissolved) on tongue and are
sweet in taste. Homeopathic medicines do not cause gastric irritation, are
safe on kidneys and liver even when taken for long duration.
In epidemics, prevention of Chikungunya can be achieved by
administering Homeopathic "Genus Epidemicus". Genus Epidemicus is a
homeopathic remedy that is chosen as a preventive remedy for that particular
epidemic in that particular locality. Homeopathic medicines are equally
effective for post-chikungunya complaints like weakness, stiffness in
joints, muscles pain etc. Infected persons should be protected from further
mosquito exposure (staying indoors and/or under a mosquito net during the
first few days of illness) so that they can't contribute to the transmission
cycle.
Know more about Curative and Preventive
Homeopathy in Chikungunya.
The best way to avoid CHIKV
infection is to prevent mosquito bites. In addition we strongly recommend to
have "Homeopathic Genus Epidemicus" for double protection.
Prevention tips:
• Use mosquito repellent
on exposed skin.
• Wear long
sleeves shirts and pants.
• Have secure screens
on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Get rid of
mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets
and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird
baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out.
• Additionally, a
person with chikungunya fever should limit their exposure to mosquito bites in order to avoid further
spreading the infection. The person should stay indoors or under a mosquito net.
Know more about Curative and Preventive
Homeopathy in Chikungunya.
|
