Chikungunya is a relatively rare form of viral fever caused by an Alpha virus that is transmitted to humans by the infective bite of the Aedes aegyptii mosquito.These mosquitoes bite humans aggressively during the day.They breed in stagnant water. Pasteur Institute in Paris, in its recent research work has gathered data, which shows that this alpha virus has undergone certain transformations, called mutations, enabling its transmission by another mosquito named Aedes albopictus, generally referred as the ‘Tiger Mosquito’. The origin of the term Chikungunya can be traced back to an African language ‘Makonde’ spoken by the ‘Makonde’ people, an ethnic group in Southeast Tanzania and Northern Mozambique. ‘Makonde’ in African language means "that which bends up" referring to the bent posture resulting from the arthritic symptoms of the disease. Recent Outbreak: According to the WHO, Chikungunya has been reported recently, from a number of countries including India, and various Indian Ocean islands like the Mauritius, and Seychelles, after a period of more than 20 years. People living in these areas, where the disease is endemic, and travelers to these areas, are at high risk. According to a survey that took place in September 2006 in the islands of the Indian Ocean, particularly Reunion, more than 115 travelers were reported to be infected by the Chikungunya virus. There is an increase of infection reported in India too. The National Institute of Virology in Pune says that the strain in India this time is different from what was found during 1963 (the first outbreak was recorded in 1963 in Calcutta) and the 1974 epidemic are 98% similar to the one found in Reunion. The NIV says the new outbreak is from the African Genotype introduced to India 5yrs back. More seropositivity is found among the age group between 51- 55 years. Chikungunya fever is caused by Chikugunya virus. They are spherical enveloped virions, 60 nm diameters and have single stranded positive sense RNA genome. The primary symptoms of Chikungunya include – * Fever which can reach 39°C, (102.2 °F) * A petechial or maculopapular rash usually involving the limbs and trunk * Arthralgia (body ache) or arthritis affecting multiple joints which can be debilitating. * The joint pains can be severe and even crippling. * There can also be headache, conjunctival infection and slight photophobia. * Fever typically lasts for two days and abruptly comes down, however joint pain, intense headache, insomnia and an extreme degree of prostration lasts for a variable period, usually for about 5 to 7 days. Dermatological manifestations observed in a recent outbreak of Chikungunya fever in Southern India includes the following: * Maculopapular rash * Nasal blotchy erythema * Freckle-like pigmentation over centro-facial area * Flagellate pigmentation on face and extremities * Lichenoid eruption and hyperpigmentation in photo-distributed areas * Multiple aphthous-like ulcers over scrotum, crural areas and axilla. * Lympoedema in acral distribution (bilateral /unilateral) * Multiple ecchymotic spots (Children) * Vesiculobullous lesions (infants) * Subungual hemorrhage Chikungunya – HOW DIAGNOSIS IS DONE? * Detection of antigens or antibody to the agent in the blood (serology) * ELISA is available * An IgM capture ELISA is necessary to distinguish the disease from dengue fever. * A few patients develop Leucopenia. * Elevated levels of aspartate amino transference (AST) and C-reactive protein. Mildly decreased platelet counts. Prevention and control: There is no vaccine available against this viral infection. It is imperative to take every precaution to avoid mosquito bites and to identify the sites contusive for mosquito-breeding. A. To avoid mosquito bites: Use clothes that cover limbs and body sufficiently. Use a lot of mosquito repellents. Use mosquito nets when sleeping, even during the day. B. To prevent mosquito breeding: Discard stagnant water in which Aedes mosquitoes breed. Stagnant Water in open containers, flowerpots, coolers, tanks, drums and buckets, and discarded open plastic food should be periodically emptied. In some places biological vectors have also employed, like fish that feed on larvae of mosquitoes, in order to minimize mosquito breeding. All communities of people in the endemic areas should be made aware of hazards and methods of prevention of mosquito bite- related fevers. National programs for mosquito control and eradication should be strengthened. Homeopathic Treatment for Chikungunya Fever: Chikungunya Fever can be treated very efficiently with natural Homeopathic medicines. The aim of the Homeopathic mode of treatment is to provide complete symptomatic relief to the patients. The Homeopathic medicines for treating Chikungunya Fever are selected based upon the unique individual symptoms. These unique symptoms include presence or absence of thirst, the desire to cover or uncover oneself in fever, the worsening or relieving of symptoms in joint pains and any peculiar desire to eat or drink restlessness or the need to lie down. According to Dr. Hahnemann, a carefully observing physician can arrive at knowledge of the true state of the epidemic from the examination of even the first and second patients and can even find a suitable homoeopathic remedy for it. Dr. Hahnemann recommends investigating each epidemic disease as a new and unknown case and selecting medicine according to its symptom similarity. Homoeopathy has a very good scope in the treatment of chikungunya. Initially indicated acute remedies may give relief which may be followed by constitutional remedy in order to get rid of post fever arthralgia. Homeopathy offers many medicines which may help in Chikungunya. These include medicines like Eupatorium-perf, Pyroginum, Rhus-tox, Cedron, Influenzinum, China, Arnica, Belladona, Bryonia, Nux vomica, Sulphur etc. Eupatorium Perfoliatum Q (tincture, 3 to 5 drop dose) will remove the debilitating joint pains and cut short the intensity and duration of the disease. Other potencies may be used according to the intensity of the case. In Andhrapradesh medicines such as Eupatorium200 & Belladonna has cured number of cases. Let us now look into some of the remedies that have been found effective in clearing up symptoms that surfaced during the current epidemic that swept the world viciously.
It will be good to conclude with a word of caution. It is always wise to consult a well-qualified registered homoeopathic physician for homoeopathic treatment. A qualified homoeopath will judiciously choose the remedy of choice that would be best suited for an individual and provide medicines in the potency and dosage that is most suitable according to his judgment.
Sources: http://www.searo.who.int/en/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chikungunya http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/articles/hot-topic/2014/07-15-chikungunya/ http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/chikungunya.htm http://www.medindia.net/alternativemedicine/homeopathy/chickungunya_print.htm http://www.homeobook.com/chikungunya-homeopathic-prevention-and-management/ http://treatment.hpathy.com/homeo-medicine/homeopathy-chikungunya/ http://www.drhomeo.com/fever/homeopathic-medicines-chikungunya/
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December 2016
CategoriesAuthorA convinced believer, an eternal student and a fervent practitioner of Homeopathy and Alternative Medicines, I am awestruck by the real-life miracles these sciences deliver every day! My goal is to help people with my knowledge, experience and willingness to learn and adapt! |