The name “chikungunya” comes from a word in the Kimakonde language, meaning “to become contorted,” and describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain (arthralgia). It is an RNA virus that belongs to the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae and was first identified during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952.
Signs and symptoms
Chikungunya is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever frequently accompanied by joint pain, along with other common signs and symptoms like muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. The joint pain from the virus can be acute, subacute, or chronic, depending on how long it lasts and whether it is debilitating or not.
Serious complications are rare, but in older people, the disease can contribute to death. Often, symptoms in infected people are mild, and the infection may go unrecognized, or be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue occurs. In some cases, joint pain may persist for several months, or even years.
Transmission
More than 60 nations in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas have been found to have Chikungunya.
When an infected female mosquito bites a human, it spreads the virus to that person. The mosquitoes most frequently involved areAedes aegyptiandAedes albopictusBoth species are found biting outdoors, but there may be peaks in activity in the early morning and late afternoon. These mosquitoes can be found biting throughout the day, though there may be peaks in activity in the early morning and late afternoon.Ae. aegyptiwill also happily eat inside.
It usually takes between 4 and 8 days, but it can take anywhere between 2 and 12 days, for an infection to start after a mosquito bite.
Diagnosis
IgM antibody levels are highest 3 to 5 weeks after the onset of illness and persist for approximately 2 months. Serological tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), may confirm the presence of IgM and IgG anti-chikungunya antibodies. Samples collected during the first week after the onset of symptoms should be tested by both serological and virological methods (RT-PCR).
Various reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques are available but have variable sensitivity; some are suitable for clinical diagnosis; RT-PCR products from clinical samples may also be used for genotyping of the virus, allowing comparisons with virus samples from various geographical sources. The virus may be isolated from the blood during the first few days of infection.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM 200–Eupatorium Perfoliatum is the best treatment for chikungunya.There is a high fever with severe bone pains.Eupatorium Perfoliatum is the best homeopathic medicine when the patient specifically feels as if the bones are broken.The patient cannot lie in bed because of severe bony pains and is restless.The pain can lead to moaning and crying.Relief in the bone pains usually follows perspiration.Vomiting specifically after chill is a sign
POLYPORUS 6—a particular treatment for Chikungunya.
RHUS TOX 200–When there is relief from joint pains when moving but the joint pains worsen while resting, Rhus Tox is the ideal homeopathic treatment for Chikungunya. The person feels extremely restless and when lying in bed has to frequently change positions because lying still worsens the condition. Chills during fever are also prominent. Backache during fever can also be present. Rhus Tox controls joint pains in fever. The joints show marked stiffness along with pain.
**BRYONIA ALBA 30–**Bryonia is prescribed when there are excessive joint pains with Chikungunya Fever. The joints are painful, hot, and swollen. The patient who can benefit from homeopathic medicine Bryonia typically finds relief from joint pains while resting, specifically by lying on the side of joints that are painful. Even the slightest motion can worsen the joint pains.
When chill and heat alternate with bone pains from Chikungunya fever, the patient sweats profusely without any relief, and the patient experiences increased thirst and excessive salivation, Merc Sol is the best natural homeopathic treatment.
When a patient suffering from Chikungunya Fever experiences excessive sleepiness, drowsiness, and the desire to lie down, as well as a marked chilliness and shivering, and there is typically no thirst for water, homeopathic medicine Gelsemium is the best option. Gelsemium is also the best option when a patient experiences headaches with heavy eyes, which settle at the back of the head.
ARNICA MON. 30-The best treatment for chikungunya is arnica when petechiae are present under the skin along with pains and other symptoms. Along with this, the skin displays blue or blackish petechial spots, and the joints are extremely painful, making even the slightest touch intolerable and leaving the person feeling sore-bruised throughout.
IPECAC 30–Ipecac is regarded as the best homeopathic remedy for treating nausea and vomiting, and it can be taken by anyone experiencing chronic nausea and vomiting as a result of chikungunya fever.
EUPHRASIA 30The symptoms of redness, watering, and itching in the eyes are relieved by using Euphrasia, which is the ideal homeopathic medication for treating conjunctivitis in a person with Chikungunya infection.
PHOSPHORIC ACID 30–Phosphoric Acid is a homeopathic remedy that is frequently used to treat excessive weakness during or after chikungunya fever. Excellent results are obtained with the use of phosphoric acid for the treatment of crippling weakness.
JOINT PAIN AFTER CHIKUNGUNYA
Joint pain after Chikungunya: POLYPORUS 6 is a targeted treatment.
Odema and joint pain in BRYONIA ALB. Q., with movement making the pain worse.
SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM 30-A specific treatment for post-Chikungunya joint pain.
PROPHYLAMINUM 30– Numbness and tingling in the fingers; wrist and ankle pain that is worse with movement; inability to stand.
Prevention and control
Take Polyporus 200 two times per day, morning and night, for a week to effectively prevent Chikungunya.
Insecticides may be sprayed to kill flying mosquitoes, applied to surfaces, or injected to kill mosquito larvae during outbreaks.
Clothing that reduces skin exposure to day-biting vectors is recommended for protection during chikungunya outbreaks. Repellents can be applied to exposed skin or to clothing in strict accordance with product label instructions. Repellents should contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide), IR3535 (3-[N-acetyl-N-butyl]-aminopropionic acid ethyl ester), or icarid
Travelers to high-risk areas should take some simple precautions, such as using insect repellent, dressing in long sleeves and pants, and making sure their accommodations have screens to keep mosquitoes out.
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