Given this, here is the reality every Jamaican must face. Everyone is at high risk of contracting the Chikungunya virus and more so as the Government really does not have the resources to adequately contain the spread. It may be slowed but the reality is that it is already so widely dispersed that it will be very hard to contain at this stage with the limited resources.
Everyone should therefore brace themselves as the probability of contracting the virus is increasing daily. Given the almost inevitable scenario the following paragraphs serves as guide to help you delay the possibility, identify the illness as best as possible, and encourage individuals to boost their health in anticipation of the virus in order to mitigate the ill effects and aid in recovery.
The Chikungunya virus is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Public enemy number 1 - seek and destroy them.
Aedes aegypti mosquito |
Symptoms
According to the World Health Organization fact sheet on Chikungunya symptoms include fever, severe headaches, severe pain in the joints, muscle pains, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and a rash.
Seek and remove mosquito breeding sites.
Pour bleach in water filled areas
Fog heavily infested mosquito breeding areas.
Utilize Insect spray around possible breeding areas.
- Mosquito destroyer
- Mosquito repellent. 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).
- Mosquito swatters and zappers
Health Preparation
Start consuming more vitamins in particular vitamin C to boost your immune system.
Exercise as best as possible without stressing the body weakening the immune system.
Get adequate rest.
Treatment
There is no specific antiviral drug treatment for Chikungunya. Additionally there is no commercial chikungunya vaccine.
Treatment is directed primarily at relieving the symptoms, including the joint pain using anti-pyretics, optimal analgesics and fluids.
Chicken Soup |
Consume as much chicken and vegetable soup as possible it provides vitamins and minerals necessary to boost the immune system, fluids the body may need and contributed to the energy requirements of the body at the time. Also consume daily multivitamins; vitamin C drink mixes to boost my immune system; and drink mix for the aching/joint pain/arthritis relief where available.
If everyone joins the fight the probability of contacting the virus can be reduced significantly.
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