After a mosquito bite, some people experience nothing more than a small itch, while others end up with severe joint pain and fever. But why? The cause behind this condition might be Chikungunya. Put simply, chikungunya is a viral illness transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, causing joint pain and fever. Ayurveda stresses on the need to recognise the body’s signs and indicators to manage and deal with illnesses like chikungunya effectively. Through such a holistic approach, Ayurveda seeks to balance your body’s energies and promote good health.
Early Symptoms of Chikungunya
If you are bitten by a mosquito and feel unwell, you should know about the early symptoms of chikungunya. Detecting these symptoms early may help you receive timely treatment and reduce the discomfort. These are the early symptoms of Chikungunya:
- Fever: Chikungunya fever isn't just any fever. It comes suddenly and is generally high. It can make you feel very ill, fast.
- Joint Pain: The classic early chikungunya symptom is pain in the joints. This pain could be severe and may involve multiple joints. The most affected are the hands, legs, knees and back. This pain can be debilitating and make your everyday tasks challenging.
- Headache & Muscle Pain: Together with joint pain and fever, you might experience headaches and general muscle pain or discomfort.
- Swelling of Joints: You might notice swelling in the joints, causing pain and restricting movement.
- Rash: Many people also develop a rash that might seem like small or red bumps on the skin.
You might start noticing these symptoms 2 to 7 days after getting bitten by an infected mosquito. Identifying these early signs can help you take appropriate measures to alleviate the pain and stop the disease from worsening.
Advanced Symptoms of Chikungunya
As chikungunya advances, the initial symptoms might worsen or cause more severe health complications. Monitor your symptoms very carefully if they do not improve in a week. The advanced symptoms and complications you should be aware of are given below :
- Persistent Joint Pain: Though most individuals overcome the joint pain in just a week, you might find that the pain continues or becomes chronic. This chronic pain could last for months or even years and impact your daily activities or quality of life.
- Increased Swelling: Joint swelling could increase and become more painful. It could reduce mobility in affected areas.
- Eye Problems: At times, chikungunya can also lead to eye inflammation (uveitis) and vision issues if it is not treated promptly.
- Neurologic Issues: Very rarely, the virus might influence the central nervous system, causing Guillain Barre syndrome. In this condition, you might notice a quick onset of muscle weakness and even encephalitis (brain inflammation).
- Heart Complications: Sometimes, chikungunya can even affect the heart and could result in heart problems if you have a history of heart disease.
If you see that your symptoms are getting worse, visit an Ayurvedic doctor immediately. Timely intervention could ease the symptoms and prevent any further complications.
When to Seek Ayurvedic Help?
Persistent joint pain, severe swelling or eye issues following a mosquito bite could be alarming symptoms which suggest that chikungunya is getting worse. Ayurveda helps to manage not just the symptoms but also the real reason behind your discomfort. This holistic method restores balance and also supports your body's own healing process. So, if you see any of these symptoms, consult an Ayurvedic expert today for customised treatment options.
