Chikungunya is not just a viral fever, but it can become a disease that leaves a long-term effect on the body. Severe joint and bone pain along with fever is the most common and troubling symptom of this infection. So let's understand why there is so much pain in the bones in Chikungunya.

Chikungunya is a viral infection that spreads through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This is the same mosquito that also spreads dengue and Zika virus. The Chikungunya virus enters the human body and affects the immune system. This disease usually spreads more during the rainy season, when the number of mosquitoes increases. The infected person may have symptoms like fever, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, skin rashes and headache. This disease does not spread directly from one person to another, but is transmitted through mosquitoes. Its virus causes swelling and inflammation in the body, due to which the body starts giving many types of reactions.

Chikungunya infection can affect many parts of the body, but its most common and troubling symptom is joint and bone pain. Along with high fever, the patient feels unbearable pain in hands, legs, knees, shoulders and back. Sometimes this pain can persist for months, making it difficult to move around and do daily tasks. Some people also have problems like skin rashes, fatigue, burning eyes and nausea. But what hurts the most is the swollen pain of bones and joints, which can gradually become chronic. Let us understand why this pain occurs in chikungunya and what effect it has on the body.

Why does Chikungunya cause bone pain?

Dr. Ajay Kumar of Delhi MCD explains that when the Chikungunya virus enters the body, it directly affects the immune system and causes inflammation in the joints and bones. This inflammation is the main cause of pain. The virus activates the body's immunity to such an extent that it starts attacking its own tissues, causing an inflammatory response. This process affects the fluid around the joints, which causes pain while walking or moving the limbs.

In some cases, this pain can last for weeks or months, which is called post viral arthritis. The Chikungunya virus increases swelling and stiffness in the tissues inside the bones. This is the reason why pain in bones and joints can persist for a long time even after the fever subsides. People with weak immunity or those who already have a problem like arthritis, this pain hurts more.

How to protect yourself?

To protect yourself from mosquitoes, wear clothes that cover your entire body.

Do not allow water to accumulate in and around the house.

Use mosquito repellents and coils.

Install mosquito nets or nets on doors and windows in the house.

During the rainy season, take special precautions against mosquitoes in the morning and evening.

If you have fever and pain, contact your doctor immediately.