Overview

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. This illness is characterised by the onset of fever and severe arthralgia, which may also be accompanied by rash, headache, and myalgia. Although chikungunya is generally not life-threatening, it can lead to debilitating, long-term joint pain and, in rare instances, serious complications. Currently, there is no specific therapeutic intervention for chikungunya; therefore, supportive care and proactive measures to avoid mosquito bites are critical for management and prevention.

Causes

Infected Mosquitoes: The primary cause of chikungunya infection is the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito.

Mosquito Species: The principal vectors responsible for the transmission of the virus are 'Aedes aegypti' and 'Aedes albopictus'.

Areas with High Mosquito Populations: Locations characterised by stagnant water and inadequate sanitation facilitate mosquito breeding, thereby elevating the risk of infection.

Symptoms

• Fever  

• Joint pain (medically referred to as Arthralgia)  

• Dermatological rash  

• Muscle pain (commonly known as Myalgia)  

• Headache  

• Fatigue  

• Nausea accompanied by vomiting, 

• Conjunctival inflammation (Conjunctivitis) 

Ayurvedic View

Vata kapha jwara - due to factors like following nidana(causes),adhyashana(eating before previoues food) has been digested,virudha ahara(consuming incompatible food )etc, diva swapana(day sleep),abhishyandi (food that blocks channel) etc, results in agni mandhya(low digestive power ), which also influences dosha, namely vata,kapha which displace agni(digestive fire )from koshta, thus jeerna shakthi(digestion), absorption is reduced,swedavaha srotas is blocked(no sweating), there is internal heat raised in shakhas(agni not in its place ), when the vitiated doshas reach asthi (bones) and supporting structures can cause pain and with involvement of rakta there is appearance of rash, this is chikungunya. The Ayurveda way of approach is to improve agni(metabolism), reduce symptoms by bringing agni back to its sthana(aamashaya, place), doshas back to prakruta avastha,shareera lagutha(feeling light) by Ayurvedic panchakarma treatment and medicines and prevent further complications and rehabilitate post chikungunya infection.

ABHYANGAM, SWEDANAM, AGNI KARMA, AVAGAHAM, DEEPANAM, PACHANAM, BASTI, LEPANAM, UPANAHAM, VIRECHANAM, VAMANAM