To decrease the pain and swelling of the joints caused by the Chikungunya virus you should follow the treatment indicated by your doctor which may include the use of Paracetamol, cold patches and you should also drink a lot of liquids like water, tea and coconut water.
Chikungunya is not a serious disease and usually is quickly controlled and cured, just as it happens with dengue fever, but in some people treatment may be prolonged, but this disease rarely leads to death.
How long does it take to cure Chikungunya
Usually, the treatment lasts between 7 to 30 days, but joint pain can last for more than 1 year, in which case it is necessary to do physiotherapy. It is also very important you rest during the acute phase, which is about the first 10 days of the disease, because it seems to help prevent complications and that Chikungunya for persisting longer.
Medication for Chikungunya
The most indicated remedies are Paracetamol or Dipyrone to control pain in the muscles and joints, however others such as Tramadol hydrochloride and codeine may be indicated when the others are not sufficient to relieve the symptoms.
Your doctor may initially recommend using a combination of Paracetamol and Codeine to relieve pain because it is a stronger analgesic and Tramadol may be used last but should be used with caution by the elderly and people who have had seizures or diseases in the liver or kidneys.
Just like in dengue the medication that should not be used are aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, diclofenac, nimesulide and acetylsalicylic acid, as well as corticosteroids. Acetylsalicylic acid and corticosteroids due to the risk of complications related to the remedy, such as kidney problems and bleeding, for example.
Treatment for chronic Chikungunya
It may include the use of corticosteroid medication such as prednisone for up to 21 days, the dose must be recommended by your doctor. This medication, however, can not be used in cases of diseases such as diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, osteoporosis, bipolar disorder, chronic renal failure in case of dialysis, Cushing's syndrome, obesity and heart problems.
Physiotherapy can be very useful for controlling symptoms and improving joint movement. The use of devices and exercises recommended by the physiotherapist is recommended. At home the person can perform daily stretches, avoiding long walks and many efforts. Cold compresses are best indicated and can be used for 20 minutes to decrease joint pain.
Signs of improvement
Signs of improvement arise when the body is able to eliminate the virus and include a decrease in symptoms.
In some cases, fatigue and joint pain and swelling may persist after curing the disease, so the general practitioner may recommend physical therapy sessions to help decrease discomfort.
Signs it's getting worse
When treatment is not done properly, or the immune system is weakened, signs the symptoms are getting worse such as a fever over 38 ° for more than 3 days and worsening of joint pain, leading to arthritis, may persist for months.
In very rare cases Chikungunya can be fatal. In that case the disease can cause myositis, muscle inflammation, which can even lead to death because the immune system begins to attack the muscles of the body. The symptoms may begin to manifest about 3 weeks after the diagnosis of the disease.
Complications and warning signs that indicate you should return to the doctor
It is important to return to the doctor when treatment is started, the fever is present for 5 days, or if other symptoms appear that can indicate complications such as bleeding, seizures, fainting, chest pain and frequent vomiting. In these cases the person may have to be hospitalized for appropriate treatment.
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