Chikungunya (chik-un-GUN-yuh) is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes that causes the sudden onset of fever and severe joint pain. Other signs and symptoms may include fatigue, muscle pain, headache and rash. Signs and symptoms usually appear two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The mosquito that carries chikungunya virus bites primarily during the daytime, both indoors and outdoors, and often lives around buildings in urban areas.
There is no vaccine or medicine to prevent chikungunya. The only way to prevent chikungunya is to prevent mosquito bites. Preventing bites can be difficult, but it is important, as you can get sick after just one bite. Follow these steps to reduce the chances that you will be bitten by mosquitoes during your trip.
The most important thing is preventing mosquito bites. You can protect yourself by:
Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
Use an appropriate insect repellent as directed.
Stay and sleep in screened or air conditioned rooms.
Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.
Help reduce the number of mosquitoes outside your home by emptying standing water from containers such as flowerpots or buckets.
Use insect repellents like:
a.Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol provide long-lasting protection.
b.If you use both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent.
c.Do not spray repellent on the skin under your clothing.
d.Treat clothing with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated clothing.
If, you suspect to have contracted the virus, then, first visit a doctor and get a proper consult. Use acetaminophen or paracetamol to treat fever and pain. Take proper rest and drink pleanty of liquids and avoid getting bitten by mosquito in the first 2 weeks of the fever.
By: Archa Dave
