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Today's Fancy Illness "CHIKUNGUNIYA".Kerala's Most Popular Disease

Submitted by content on Fri, 10/19/2007 - 13:26.

Submitted by admin on Wed, 2007-09-26 23:30. Kerala

WHAT’S CHIKUNGUNIYA?

Chikunguniya is an African word, which literally means “bent over”. It is caused by a virus of the togaviridae family. This was once found in tropical forest of Africa. Chikunguniya is one such illness which has been spread in South India especially the state of Kerala.

The main symptoms of chikunguniya include onset of fever which can go as high as 104 degree fahrenheit along with joint pains and body rashes. The joints may be swollen and painful. In some cases, digestion and ENT problems may occur. The patient affected with chikunguniya tends to lose their appetite and causes weakness, which lasts about two to three months. These symptoms may differ from person to person. The wrist, elbow, small joints of the hand, ankle, and knees are commonly affected. Back ache, muscular pain, and skin rashes may also occur.

Chikunguniya virus spreads through the bite of a mosquito called aedes aegypti or the “day biting mosquito.” The time between contamination or infecting bite is four to seven days

Once this illness is affected, it can affect the population in thousands. To protect ourselves and to limit this spreading disease one must banish the mosquitoes from our surroundings, even during the day time.

There is no specific treatment for this illness. The best treatment for chikunguniya is rest, especially during acute stage. The best method to recover from this disease is exercise. The patient should keep moving the hands and legs even while on the bed. Most importantly remember to seek proper help, get enough rest, and exercise a little, otherwise this disease and really leave us bent over as the name itself suggests.
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