HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR CHIKUNGUNYA
Chikungunya
is a mosquito-borne viral disease first described during an outbreak in
southern Tanzania in 1952. It is an RNA virus that belongs to the alphavirus
genus of the family Togaviridae. The name “chikungunya” derives from a word in
the Kimakonde language, meaning “to become contorted”, and describes the
stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain (arthralgia).
Signs
and symptoms
Chikungunya
is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever frequently accompanied by joint
pain. Other common signs and symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea,
fatigue and rash. The joint pain is often very debilitating, but usually lasts
for a few days or may be prolonged to weeks. Hence the virus can cause acute,
subacute or chronic disease.
Most
patients recover fully, but in some cases joint pain may persist for several
months, or even years. Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart
complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints.
Serious complications are not common, but in older people, the disease can
contribute to the cause of death. Often symptoms in infected individuals are
mild and the infection may go unrecognized, or be misdiagnosed in areas where
dengue occurs.
Transmission
Chikungunya
has been identified in over 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the
Americas.
The
virus is transmitted from human to human by the bites of infected female
mosquitoes. Most commonly, the mosquitoes involved are Aedes aegypti andAedes
albopictus, two species which can also transmit other mosquito-borne
viruses, including dengue. These mosquitoes can be found biting throughout
daylight hours, though there may be peaks of activity in the early morning and
late afternoon. Both species are found biting outdoors, but Ae. aegypti will
also readily feed indoors.
After
the bite of an infected mosquito, onset of illness occurs usually between 4 and
8 days but can range from 2 to 12 days.
Diagnosis
Several
methods can be used for diagnosis. Serological tests, such as enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assays (ELISA), may confirm the presence of IgM and IgG
anti-chikungunya antibodies. IgM antibody levels are highest 3 to 5 weeks after
the onset of illness and persist for about 2 months. Samples collected during
the first week after the onset of symptoms should be tested by both serological
and virological methods (RT-PCR).
The
virus may be isolated from the blood during the first few days of infection.
Various reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) methods are
available but are of variable sensitivity. Some are suited to clinical
diagnosis. RT–PCR products from clinical samples may also be used for
genotyping of the virus, allowing comparisons with virus samples from various
geographical sources
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM 200--Eupatorium Perfoliatum is the top remedy for
Chikungunya.There is high fever with
severe bone pains. Eupatorium Perfoliatum is the ideal Homeopathic medicine when
the person specifically feels as if the bones are broken. The person cannot lie
in bed because of severe bony pains and is restless. The pain can lead to
moaning and crying, and chill is also marked with pains. Relief in the bone
pains usually follows perspiration. Vomiting specifically after chill is a
significant symptom for using natural Homeopathic remedy Eupatorium
Perfoliatum.
POLYPORUS 6—A
specific remedy for Chikungunya.
RHUS TOX 200--
Rhus Tox is an excellent remedy forChikungunya. It controls
joint pains in fever. The joints show
marked stiffness along with pain. When there is relief from joint pains on
moving and the joint pains get worse while resting, Rhus Tox is the ideal
Homeopathic remedy. The person feels extremely restless and when lying in bed
has to frequently change position because lying still worsens the condition.
Chills during fever are also prominent. Backache during fever can also be
relieved by Rhus Tox when the peculiar relief by motion is noted.
BRYONIA ALBA 30--Bryonia
is prescribed when there is excessive joint pains with Chikungunya Fever. The
joints are painful, hot and swollen. The person who can benefit byHomeopathic
medicine Bryonia usually gets relief from joint pains by resting. More
particularly, the patient gets relief by lying on the side of joints that are
painful. And even the slightest motion can worsen the joint pains. In addition
to joint pains, there is an increased thirst for water with a dry mouth.
MERC SOL 30--Merc
Sol is the best natural Homeopathic medicine when the bone pains get worse at
night with Chikungunya Fever. Chill and heat have an alternating presence. The
patient has profuse sweating, but it provides no relief. For using Merc Sol,the
individual characteristic symptom to be noted is increased thirst and excessive
salivation.
GELSEMIUM 30-Gelsemium
is the ideal Homeopathic remedy when
excessive drowsiness, sleepiness and desire to lie down are felt by a patient
afflicted with Chikungunya Fever. There is also a marked chilliness with
shivering. Usually, the thirst for water is absent. Headache with heaviness of
eyes is also best treated by Homeopathic medicine Gelsemium.Headache settles at
the back of head.
ARNICA MON. 30-
Arnica is the best remedy for
chikungunya, when petechiae are present under skin along with pains and other
symptoms. The skin shows blue or blackish petechial spots. Along with this, the
joints are very painful. Even a slight touch is unbearable on joints as it
increases the pain. Apart from specific joint pains, there is a sore-bruised
feeling in the entire body. The person also complains that the bed on which he
or she lies seems too hard and he or she needs to constantly change the
position. In addition to these symptoms, the hands and feet are markedly cold.
IPECAC 30--Ipecac
is considered the best Homeopathic remedy for providing relief from nausea and
vomiting. Ipecac can be taken by all those persons who have persistent nausea
and vomiting during Chikungunya Fever. Homeopathic medicine Ipecac always shows
its worth in providing relief from nausea and vomiting. The tongue is usually
found to be almost clean in most cases.
EUPHRASIA 30--Euphrasia
is the perfect Homeopathic medicine for treating conjunctivitis in a person
with Chikungunya infection. The symptoms of redness, watering,
itching in eyes get relieved by using Euphrasia..
PHOSPHORIC ACID 30--Phosphoric Acid is a Homeopathic remedy frequently used to treat
excessive weakness during or after Chikungunya Fever. Excellent results are
obtained with the use of Phosphoric Acid for treatment of debilitating
weakness. The weakness in both mental and physical spheres can be corrected
with the intake of Homeopathic medicine Phosphoric Acid.
JOINT PAIN AFTER CHIKUNGUNYA
POLYPORUS 6—A
specific remedy for joint pain after Chikungunya
BRYONIA ALB. Q-Odema
and pain in joints . Pain worse from
movement.
SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM 30-A specific remedy for joint pain after Chikungunya
.
PROPHYLAMINUM 30-
Pain in wrists and ankles, worse slightest motion.Unable to stand. Tingling and
numbness of fingers.
Prevention
and control
Homoeopathic medicine Polyporus 200 is very
effective for preventing Chikungunya. Take Polyporus 200 two times daily ,
morning and night for one week
The
proximity of mosquito vector breeding sites to human habitation is a
significant risk factor for chikungunya as well as for other diseases that
these species transmit. Prevention and control relies heavily on reducing the
number of natural and artificial water-filled container habitats that support
breeding of the mosquitoes. This requires mobilization of affected communities.
During outbreaks, insecticides may be sprayed to kill flying mosquitoes,
applied to surfaces in and around containers where the mosquitoes land, and
used to treat water in containers to kill the immature larvae.
For
protection during outbreaks of chikungunya, clothing which minimizes skin
exposure to the day-biting vectors is advised. Repellents can be applied to
exposed skin or to clothing in strict accordance with product label
instructions. Repellents should contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide),
IR3535 (3-[N-acetyl-N-butyl]-aminopropionic acid ethyl ester) or icaridin
(1-piperidinecarboxylic acid, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-methylpropylester). For
those who sleep during the daytime, particularly young children, or sick or
older people, insecticide-treated mosquito nets afford good protection.
Mosquito coils or other insecticide vaporizers may also reduce indoor biting.
Basic
precautions should be taken by people travelling to risk areas and these
include use of repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants and ensuring rooms
are fitted with screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
Comments
Post a Comment