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.