Difference between revisions of "Ease Muscle Pain from Chikungunya"

Chikungunya is an infectious disease caused by a virus spread by the bite of mosquitoes. It is common in regions such as Africa, India and Southeast Asia. This disease is characterized by the abrupt onset of high fever (higher than 38.9 degrees C or 102 degrees F). The illness also causes severe incapacitating polyarthralgia (pain in multiple joints) or joint pain that is symmetrical. The distal joints such as wrists, hands, ankles and knees are affected, as opposed to the proximal joints such as the hips and shoulders. Chikungunya also causes a rash and severe myalgia, or muscle aches. The joint pain is particularly marked in that it is protracted and debilitating, perhaps going on for years, and sufferers may walk with a debilitating gait. In fact, the word “Chikungunya” means “ to walk bent over” in some east African languages.<ref name="rf1">Pialoux, g Gauzere BA, Jaurequiberry, S et al , Chikungunya: An Epidemic Arbovirosis, The Lancet Infectious Disease 2007 May 7(5) 319-327.</ref> While there is no cure for the illness, you can take steps to ease pain and discomfort while you recover.

Chikungunya is an infectious disease caused by a virus spread by the bite of mosquitoes. It is common in regions such as Africa, India and Southeast Asia. This disease is characterized by the abrupt onset of high fever (higher than 38.9 degrees C or 102 degrees F). The illness also causes severe incapacitating polyarthralgia (pain in multiple joints) or joint pain that is symmetrical. The distal joints such as wrists, hands, ankles and knees are affected, as opposed to the proximal joints such as the hips and shoulders. Chikungunya also causes a rash and severe myalgia, or muscle aches. The joint pain is particularly marked in that it is protracted and debilitating, perhaps going on for years, and sufferers may walk with a debilitating gait. In fact, the word “Chikungunya” means “ to walk bent over” in some east African languages.<ref name="rf1">Pialoux, g Gauzere BA, Jaurequiberry, S et al , Chikungunya: An Epidemic Arbovirosis, The Lancet Infectious Disease 2007 May 7(5) 319-327.</ref> While there is no cure for the illness, you can take steps to ease pain and discomfort while you recover.

== Steps ==

== Steps ==