What is Chikungunya? Chikungunya is a deadly mosquito-borne disease that can have long-term negative effects on your bone and joint health. The mosquito vectors responsible for its transmission are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Rarely, it is also spread through blood products and mother-to-fetus transfer. It is not considered a communicable disease as it is spread through mosquito bites rather than direct person-to-person transmission. When a mosquito carrying the chikungunya virus bites a person, the person becomes infected. When an uninfected mosquito bites a person, it ingests the virus as the virus grows in the person.Also Read – About 169 dengue cases have been reported in Delhi, the highest since 2017; 10 new cases in a week
What are the symptoms of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne infection?
Symptoms of chikungunya infection are similar to dengue fever. They appear a few days after being infected by a mosquito bite. There is fever, headache and joint pain. Also Read – With dengue cases on the rise, the Union Health Minister convened a meeting with the Delhi government to review the situation
Joint pain is a symptom of chikungunya. (Image source: Unsplash)
- high fever
- Joint pain
- Arthritis
- nausea
- Vomit
- headache
What can you do to prevent chikungunya infection?
Here are some preventative measures you can take to prevent chikungunya if you have not yet contracted the illness but are at increased risk of doing so. Also Read – Dengue cases in Delhi cross 1,000 this year, with 280 reported last week
If not treated in time, the viral disease Chikungunya can become serious. (Image Source: Pixabay)
- Try using mosquito repellent lotion.
- Remove solid waste on a regular basis.
- Make sure no water has accumulated in or near your home.
- If you live in an area where chikungunya cases are on the rise, wear full-sleeved clothing.
- Use a highly effective insecticide made from a combination of lemongrass and eucalyptus oil.
What treatments are available for chikungunya?
Mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes chikungunya can spread it to people. (Image source: Unsplash)
The virus is not currently protected by a vaccine or specific medicine. According to the WHO, there is no vaccine or specific drug to fight the virus, so treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms of the disease. Clinical care mostly focuses on treating symptoms, such as joint pain, by taking antipyretics, taking the best painkillers, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting enough rest.
If you have these symptoms, be careful and contact a doctor immediately!
