Aedes albopictus is the vector of chikungunya. Chikungunya happens when this mosquito bites a person and it is a communicable disease. These mosquitoes generally bite during the daytime especially during the early morning or in and around afternoon. It spreads like an epidemic. The chikungunya virus is spread once a mosquito which has bitten an infected person bites another healthy person.
How Long Does Chikungunya Last in your Body?
The symptoms of chikungunya last for about 2-3 days in a person’s body. However, the virus stays in the body for approximately 5-7 days. The chikungunya symptoms take around 4-7 days to appear after an infected mosquito has bitten a person.
What is the Best Medicine for Chikungunya?
Amongst the most life threatening diseases, chikungunya is known to be one of them. The major complications of chikungunya are haemorrhagic shock which can cause death. Unfortunately, there is no specific medicine which cures chikungunya. The best medicine to treat chikungunya is to reduce the fever and manage the symptoms conservatively through various methods, particularly home remedies, and to drink plenty of fluids.
One of the renowned ways to lowering the fever is by having a decoction of the papaya leaf. It helps in lowering the body temperature as well as prevents the platelets counts from falling down. One can also have neem leaf decoction to lower the fever. Home remedies to manage the other symptoms like itchy rashes, painful and sore joints etc. are by having ginger, garlic, grapes, sunflower seeds, turmeric etc. These help in reducing the pain and inflammation in the body.
One of the most important thing to remember while dealing with chikungunya is to keep oneself hydrated as much as possible. For this, one can have more of fluid based things or coconut water to stay hydrated. Coconut water additionally helps in maintaining the nutrient balance in the body.
Conclusion
It is essential to protect oneself from any mosquito bite or any further mosquito bite if you are already infected in order to prevent it from spreading to others. Keep the area near your house clean to prevent breeding of mosquitoes. Clean the water storage pots or tanks or flower vase regularly to prevent mosquito breeding. Use mosquito repellents inside the house as well as whenever you are going out to avoid any mosquito bite. However, if unfortunately you do get infected with it, do not neglect the symptoms as it can bring in serious complications. Timely diagnosis and treatment can help in faster and better recovery.
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