ALL ABOUT CHIKUNGUNYA

Introduction
Chikungunya(CHIKV) is a virus spread by mosquitoes. It is not normally a serious health issue as it only lasts for 3-7 days. The best prevention is to keep the immune system healthy and taking proper precautions to avoid infection. There are several things one can do to prevent bites from mosquitoes and there are ways to relieve body aches and dehydration. It is form of viral fever most commonly seen all over India. It is reported to have started off in Tanzania an African country. It has been transmitted across the globe now days. It can spread anywhere easily though not communicable. It is widespread in Karnataka (including the city of Bangalore) & Maharashtra. Meaning in Tanzanian language it means "fever which bends the person"
How it is caused
Mosquitoes are natural carriers. Specialty is these mosquitoes carrying 'Chikun gunya Virus' bite during the day time also! They also breed in clean water! This disease is not caused by eating Chicken!
HOST RANGE: Humans, primates, other mammals, birds
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By bite of an infective mosquito Virus is an arbovirus, spreads through arthropode vector the Aedes Egypti * and * Aedes albopictus, better known as the nasty Asian tiger mosquito, the same as Dengue or Yellow fever. Mosquito bites in day time unlike malaria. Size of this misquito is smaller than the anopheles.
COMMUNICABILITY: No evidence of person-to-person transmission
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: No antiviral available to date.
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Sensitive to 70% ethanol, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde, Sensitive to lipid solvent

Symptoms
High fever around 102-104 deg F; Severe head ache - person may not be able to lift his head & see the light; Joint pains mainly the toes & fingers they can not hold anything or bend their fingers; They will find it extremely difficult to walk No taste for food decrease in appetite Rashes can develop all over the body Symptoms are more severe in persons above the age of 50 yrs; Find it difficult to sleep. The symptom lasts for about a week. In older persons it takes little longer time to cure. Once affected it is unlikely to affect the same person again. It is not spread by touching the affected person.
Treatment
No specific treatment identified so far �V No vaccine available for precaution or for cure. Only symptomatic treatment; bed rest for 3-5 days & liquid food prescribed. Person has to take lot of boiled & cooled water; Take hot food & fruits severe case needs hospitalization. It is said that there is homepathatic medicine. Doctors generally advise blood test for analysis.
Precaution, how to prevent?
Prevention tips are similar to those for dengue or West Nile virus
1.Personal hygiene essential Cleanliness in and around the house Stored water should be always covered properly . Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used. Eliminating any still water found on roofs - Seeing to it that water pipes are not clogged - Properly covering all water tanks so that mosquitoes cannot get in - Getting rid of any container capable of retaining water in your outdoor surroundings (used tyres, food cans, garbage, saucers under flower pots, etc) - Renew water in flower vases at least once a week.Water tanks should be kept clean and covered .Take precautions against mosquitoes
2. Use insect repellent containing a DEET or another EPA- registered active ingredient on exposed skin. Always follow the directions on the package.

3. Wear long sleeves and pants (ideally treat clothes with permethrin or another repellent).

4. Have secure screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.

5. Additionally, a person with chikungunya fever or dengue should limit their exposure to mosquito bites in order to avoid further spreading the infection. The person should stay indoors or under a mosquito net.

WHENEVER ANYONE IN THE FAMILY GETS THESE SYMPTOMS CONTACT THE DOCTOR IMMEDIETLY