Coping with Chikungunya: Readers' advice
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Dania's tips included:
CI Editor Debbie Ransome also went down with Chik V in late 2014.
From Tobago (name not to be made public)
Sharon on Twitter
Anonymous
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you:
Expert factsheets
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In late 2014, our Jamaican reporter, Dania Bogle, wrote about her experience of coping with the mosquito-borne virus Chikungunya and steering her family through it.
Her article provided a first-hand account of dealing with the different symptoms that people experience and nursing loved ones back to health and strength.
Afterwards, Caribbean Intelligence© asked for her personal tips on coping with Chik-V. We also invited readers to comment on their experiences.
Dania's tips included:Here are some of her tips after recovering:
- Drinks lots of water and fluids... I found that the residual pains came on more when I’m not properly hydrated.
- Don’t overdo the exercise while you are still suffering. The stairs were hell on my knees.
- Sleep/rest as much as possible.
CI Editor Debbie Ransome also went down with Chik V in late 2014.Her tips were:
- Sleep when your body demands it.
- a stress ball (much loved after management meetings) can get the circulation going in the hands and arms.
- lots and lots of cups of tea.
- avoid stairs if possible.
So we asked readers to share their tips and experiences.
Here are some of them:
From Tobago (name not to be made public)My entire village,several Co-workers. Attacking us one by one. Debilitating...
Wayz, my entire family had Chikungunya.
One of the most painful experiences for about a week or more. Fever for about three days and bad scratching and a rash for the last six days.
I recall swollen face glands --behind the ear.
Crazy trip, thank God its over.
Wayz, my entire family had Chikungunya.
One of the most painful experiences for about a week or more. Fever for about three days and bad scratching and a rash for the last six days.
I recall swollen face glands --behind the ear.
Crazy trip, thank God its over.
Sharon on Twitterstill have soreness [on right] rt hand, left knee foot. Walk like ole ppl [old people] lol.
AnonymousThe symptoms seemed to play to whatever existing health issues members of the family had so it was hard to pin down one set of symptoms.
Visitor to Jamaica
Went down with Chikungunya after returning home. Found that warm baths with sea salt eased the debilitating effects for awhile.
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you:- Get plenty of rest
- Drink fluids to prevent dehydration
- Take medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, or paracetamol, to relieve fever and pain
Expert factsheetsTo share your experiences on Chik-V, email us at caribbeanintelligence@gmail.com, send us a direct message on Twitter @caribintelligen or use the contact page on our website http://www.caribbeanintelligence.com/contact.