The Chikungunya
virus or Chik V for short is a debilitating virus. It is a viral disease transmitted
by the bite of infected mosquitos and it is more dangerous to the very young, the
elderly and persons with existing medical conditions. It has afflicted many
Jamaicans recently, especially in Kingston. There seems to be no escape in
getting it, it’s just a matter of when you will get it. I’m just recovering
from it. Two weeks into the virus and I am still having swollen lymph nodes in
the back of my neck and right shoulder (extremely painful) and pain in my
ankles, hands and fingers.
The
virus started with my index finger joint being painful and swollen, and then
the onset of painful knees, ankles and feet, my wrists and elbows followed
shortly thereafter and of course the fever. This lasted for three days, with
the fourth day feeling much better, but, alas, day five wasn’t good with me
experiencing a sub-acute attack - fever, severe nausea and a rash, with terrible
itching.
I had absolutely
no appetite, and as I smelled food I wanted to vomit. I sipped on turmeric tea
throughout, and drank a lot of coconut water, and light broth. I also had
malaria at the age of twelve. This was an awful experience as malaria leaves you
weak, with severe chills, profuse sweating, vomiting and diarrhea. I was told
by my doctor that I had an imported case of malaria, as this disease had been eradicated
from the Caribbean region at that time. I soon regained some strength, but I
certainly had lost a lot of weight and weighed a mere 72 pounds at twelve years
of age. Six weeks later my hair fell out in large batches. I was terrified, but
my doctor had told me that would have happened so at least I knew what to
expect.
So I have
had more than my fair share of mosquito borne diseases, these vectors are
extremely dangerous! So it’s very important to be very informed about it. I
have attached a link below on the Chikungunya virus, which I hope you will find
helpful.
http://www.wikihow.com/Recover-from-Chikungunya
Peace
and Love,
Natalie
