Symptoms of Chikungunya fever include chills, nausea, vomiting, fever, joint pains and head aches. Chikungunya may happen suddenly and often is accompanied with some rashs on the skin. However the most painful symptom is severe joint pain. Mouth ulcers, conjunctivitis and los of taste may also hassle patients of chikungunya. It is not a fatal condition, but the effects can last for years. The fever will subside early but joint pains may remain for many, many years.

There are no drugs available to treat this fever however, the symptoms can be treated. When one suffers from this condition, it is ideal that one consults their doctor and prescribes to the treatment that they suggest. Plenty of rest and lots of fluids are advisable.

In terms of prevention, vaccines for the chikungunya fever are still under experimentation. The best method is too prevent mosquito bites. Making sure that breeding grounds for mosquitoes are destroyed is the best idea. Keep your home clean and stay hygienic and you can ensure that the fever does not harm anyone in your family. Eat healthy, stay healthy and make sure your immune system can fight this viral disease. The condition may not be fatal, but it can leave scars for life.

Doctors advise visiting an ophthalmologist immediately if you experience any irritation, swelling or blurring of vision.

Chikungunya is a fever which is caused by the bite of a mosquito of the type – aedes. A bite of the mosquito infects you with the virus causing fever, headache and irritation of the eye.

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While in the good news section to a cure/treatment for chikungunia, Scientists have now found a way to learn how the chikungunya disease spreads in the human body by using a genetic variation of mice. A special variety of mice was created to reduce their inherent capability to fight the virus.
According to the scientists,
“It is hoped that further studies with the mice will explain how the virus spreads from the muscle and skin tissue to the central nervous system in the more severe cases of the disease, and how the virus penetrates the placenta barrier when it is spread from mother to child. The team hope that the work may also help to explain how viruses are transmitted across tissue barriers for other diseases too.”

Hopefully the vaccine/treatment for chikungunya is not far off.

The outbreak of Chikungunya in Emilia-Romagna region of north eastern Italy was confirmed in the late August this year. Soon later, a panel of researchers and analysts have been finding out the potential damage that can be caused by this disease. They have recently in October disclosed the report, informing WHO and the world that the potential mass outbreak is possible by the next spring in 2008 if nothing is done to control it immediately, since the mosquitoes eggs hatch by then.

Though as we here at chikungunia.com already know that this disease is not life threatening, but fatigue or pain in the joints can be disturbing your well being for anywhere from several weeks to months. There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for the illness, which is caused by an Alphavirus.

Also some cases have been found in the United States also, mostly from visitors to Italy and other Asian countries. But the local health authorities there believe that the outbreak there is not a threat due to the lifestyle there. Mostly air-conditioned buildings, cars and other limited exposure mean that the contact with the mosquitoes is limited.

Recently it was discovered that Triphala, an ayurvedic composition of 3 fruits namely Harada(haritaki), Amla(amalaki) and Behada(bibhitaki) is a good medicine for Chikungunya. Also powdered Sunflower seed taken along with honey is a good supplement precribed by the Ayurvedic docters at my place in Cochin, India. This mixture must be taken about 3 times a day along with your regular medicines to gain relief from joint pains which is a major after effect of this illness.

Drinking loads of water will also help in reducing the pain and suffering from this disease.

We will keep you updated with the effects, treatments, cure and more on Chikungunya Till then, take care!