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.
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.
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.
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Chikungunya fever symptoms. A and B: Rash characterized by raised, spotted lesions, C: Joint pain with the presence of swelling
Upon infection, chikungunya tends to present itself in two phases, the acute phase and the chronic phase:
Acute phase
The acute phase of chikungunya infection typically lasts from a few days to a couple of weeks. Characteristics of the acute phase include an abrupt onset of chills, fever reaching up to 40 °C (104 °F), vomiting, nausea, head ache, arthralgia (joint pain), and in some cases, maculopapular rash characterized by raised, spotted lesions. Severe joint and muscular pain is the main and the most problematic symptom of chikungunya. The pain is so intense that makes movement very difficult and prostrates its victims.
Typically, the fever lasts for two days and then ends abruptly. However, other symptoms like joint pain, intense headache, insomnia and an extreme degree of prostration, can last for about 5 to 7 days. During the acute phase, the viral load can reach 10E8 viral particles per ml of blood. The virus has been shown to infect epithelial and endothelial cells, primary fibroblasts and monocyte-derived macrophages, explaining the involvement of muscles, joints, and skin connective tissues.
Chronic phase
The chronic stage of chikungunya is characterized by poly-arthralgia that can last from weeks to years beyond the acute stage. Patients suffer from joint pains for up to 2 years, depending on their age. Ninety-five percent of infected adults are symptomatic after infection, and of these, most become disabled for weeks to months as a result of decreased dexterity, loss of mobility, and delayed reaction. Recurrent joint pain is experienced by 30–40% of those infected. During early epidemics, rare but serious complications of the disease were noted, including myocarditis (inflammation of heart muscle), meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and meninges), and mild haemorrhage. Other complications, such as uveitis and retinitis (inflammation of the eye), have been described.
Death caused by chikungunya infections appears to be rare. However, increases in crude death rates have been reported during the 2004–2008 epidemics. More than half of patients who suffer from severe chikungunya fever are over 65 years old, and more than 33% of them die. Most of these adults have underlying medical conditions and appear to be more likely to suffer complications. Children are also disproportionately affected by severe chikungunya fever.
Acute phase
The acute phase of chikungunya infection typically lasts from a few days to a couple of weeks. Characteristics of the acute phase include an abrupt onset of chills, fever reaching up to 40 °C (104 °F), vomiting, nausea, head ache, arthralgia (joint pain), and in some cases, maculopapular rash characterized by raised, spotted lesions. Severe joint and muscular pain is the main and the most problematic symptom of chikungunya. The pain is so intense that makes movement very difficult and prostrates its victims.
Typically, the fever lasts for two days and then ends abruptly. However, other symptoms like joint pain, intense headache, insomnia and an extreme degree of prostration, can last for about 5 to 7 days. During the acute phase, the viral load can reach 10E8 viral particles per ml of blood. The virus has been shown to infect epithelial and endothelial cells, primary fibroblasts and monocyte-derived macrophages, explaining the involvement of muscles, joints, and skin connective tissues.
Chronic phase
The chronic stage of chikungunya is characterized by poly-arthralgia that can last from weeks to years beyond the acute stage. Patients suffer from joint pains for up to 2 years, depending on their age. Ninety-five percent of infected adults are symptomatic after infection, and of these, most become disabled for weeks to months as a result of decreased dexterity, loss of mobility, and delayed reaction. Recurrent joint pain is experienced by 30–40% of those infected. During early epidemics, rare but serious complications of the disease were noted, including myocarditis (inflammation of heart muscle), meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and meninges), and mild haemorrhage. Other complications, such as uveitis and retinitis (inflammation of the eye), have been described.
Death caused by chikungunya infections appears to be rare. However, increases in crude death rates have been reported during the 2004–2008 epidemics. More than half of patients who suffer from severe chikungunya fever are over 65 years old, and more than 33% of them die. Most of these adults have underlying medical conditions and appear to be more likely to suffer complications. Children are also disproportionately affected by severe chikungunya fever.
Spread of Chikungunya
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.
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.
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.
Prevention of 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.
SOURCES:
http://www.chikungunyavirusnet.com/signs-a-symptoms.html
http://www.homeopathyhelps.com/chikungunya.htm
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.
SOURCES:
http://www.chikungunyavirusnet.com/signs-a-symptoms.html
http://www.homeopathyhelps.com/chikungunya.htm
