Chikungunya: How does Chikungunya occur? Know the symptoms and prevention measures

The risk of many types of mosquito-borne diseases increases significantly during monsoon days. Conditions like heavy rains, waterlogging, and floods are favorable for the breeding of mosquitoes. Due to this, the number of viral diseases like dengue-malaria and chikungunya increases during the monsoon and the following few months. Doctors say that chikungunya can be very harmful to the body. Thousands of cases of chikungunya are reported every year. In such a situation, by knowing the causes and symptoms of chikungunya, you can adopt measures to prevent this disease.

Why does Chikungunya occur?

Chikungunya fever is a serious problem caused by mosquitoes just like dengue. The bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito puts humans at risk of chikungunya. This disease can only be confirmed by doing a blood test. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya. If symptoms related to chikungunya persist for 3-4 days, then one must consult a specialist and get tested.

Symptoms of Chikungunya

In Chikungunya, the patient shows symptoms like sudden high fever (up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit) with viral rashes on the limbs, severe joint pain, headache, and loss of appetite. The incubation period of Chikungunya is 2-6 days. Some people may continue to have joint pain even several months after recovering from Chikungunya. Long-term cases of Chikungunya can cause chronic arthritis and neurological problems.

Treatment of Chikungunya

There is no specific antiviral drug for Chikungunya, nor is there any vaccine. Therefore, treatment can be done to reduce the symptoms and relieve complications. The patient should drink as much fluids as possible and rest is advised.

Prevention of Chikungunya

Chikungunya is spread by mosquitoes. Aedes mosquitoes are active during the day, so the risk of this disease can be reduced by avoiding mosquitoes. Keep some things in mind for prevention.

Wear full-sleeved shirts and pants to protect yourself from mosquitoes.

Avoid going to places where there is viral fever infection.

Use sprays and medicines to protect yourself from mosquitoes.

You can also try to stay safe by using a mosquito net while sleeping at night.

If you have a high fever for 3-4 days, then get a blood test done as per the doctor's advice, so that a proper diagnosis can be done at the right time.

(PC: ISTOCK)