Chikungunya Fever

Ayurvedic Care Of Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease, transmitted to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. This virus is spread between people by two types of mosquitos Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti. They mainly bite during the day. Chikungunya is a self- remitting febrile viral illness that is present in tropical countries like Africa and Southeast Asia. Fever and joint pain are the most common symptoms of this infection. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and a rash.

There is no vaccine or effective antiviral treatment for Chikungunya fever. Rest, Fluids and Medications are the three best way to treatment Chikungunya. In Ayurveda, there are some herbs used in management of symptoms associated with this diseased condition like Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Spirulina (Spirulina platensis), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Sonth (Zingiber officinale) etc. Here we will discuss about common symptoms, causes and management of this disease in Ayurveda.

Causes Of Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya is one of many viruses that spreads via the Aedes aegypti mosquito. A female mosquito bites an infected human and contracts the virus. The mosquito then spreads it to other humans via biting.

These mosquitoes usually bite during the day. But, can also be found at night in well-lit areas. The Aedes albopict us mosquitoes are also known to carry chikungunya.

The virus rarely transmits from a pregnant mother to their newborn child. There are no instances of the virus spreading through breastfeeding. Although the virus can be spread via blood transfusion, there are no cases of this happening.

Symptoms Of Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya virus causes a fever that lasts a few days and joint pain that can last weeks or months. The symptoms generally develops within 3–7 days after a mosquito has bitten an individual. The most common symptoms are:

• Fever and joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Rash
• Swelling around the jointsLess commonl symptoms sucha s maculopapular rash (similar to measles or heat rash), conjunctivitis, nausea, and vomiting.

Complications of Chikungunya

Complications can include:

1. Uveitis – inflammation of the layer in the eye between the inner retina and the outer fibrous layer composed of the sclera and cornea.
2. Retinitis – inflammation of the retina.
3. Myocarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle.
4. Hepatitis – inflammation of the liver.
5. Nephritis – inflammation of the kidneys.
6. Hemorrhage – bleeding.
7. Meningoencephalitis – inflammation of the membranes of the brain and adjoining cerebral tissue.
8. Myelitis – inflammation of the spinal cord.
9. Guillain-Barré syndrome – rare peripheral nervous system disease characterized by muscle weakness.
10. Cranial nerve palsies – loss of function in the cranial nerves.

Diagnosis Of Chikungunya Fever

If you feel that above symptoms develop within you, quickly see your family doctor to see whether chikungunya is found or not. Your doctor may order blood tests to look for chikungunya or other similar viruses like dengue and Zika.

Prevention Of Chikungunya

Minimize contact with mosquitos, is the best methods to stay chikungunya-free. These below methods can help you stay free of mosquito bites:

• Wear full skin cover clothes like long sleeve shirts or pants.
• Always use insect repellent with active DEET or picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR535.
• Sleeping under a mosquito net.
• Using mosquito coils and insecticide vaporizers.
• Wear clothes are gear that’s treated with permethrin or other repellents.
• Use mosquito netting if in an area that’s open to the outdoors.
• Using air-conditioning – this deters mosquitos from entering rooms.

Ayurvedic Outlook

As per Ayurveda, Chikungunya is considered as a ‘ vata doksha’ disorder.In Ancient ayurveda, Chikungunya is describes as Sandhijwara.The symptoms of Sandhijwara and Chikungunya are very similar and hence there are certain medicines in ayurveda to bring relief for chikungunya. Ayurvedic treatment for this disease primarily aims at controlling the viral infection and reducing the symptoms.