Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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Chikungunya
Chikungunya is mosquito-borne viral disease that has arrived in the deep south USA. The disease was introduced by people infected with the disease in
the Carribean islands. Joint pain, swollen joints, rash, and muscle pain are symptoms. There's been at least one case in Texas. Expect it will be
showing up in Baja sooner or later.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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CDC info
http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/
Chikungunya (pronunciation: \chik-en-gun-ye virus is transmitted to people by mosquitoes.
The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or
rash.
Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
In late 2013, chikungunya virus was found for the first time in the Americas on islands in the Caribbean. There is a risk that the virus will be
imported to new areas by infected travelers.
There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. When
traveling to countries with chikungunya virus, use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning or that use
window and door screens.
Symptoms
Most people infected with chikungunya virus will develop some symptoms.
Symptoms usually begin 3–7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain.
Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.
Chikungunya disease does not often result in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling.
Most patients feel better within a week. In some people, the joint pain may persist for months.
People at risk for more severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults (≥65 years), and people with medical
conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.
Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of dengue, another disease spread by mosquitoes.
See your doctor if you develop the symptoms described above.
If you have recently traveled, tell your doctor.
Your doctor may order blood tests to look for chikungunya or other similar diseases.
Treatment
There is no medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection or disease.
Decrease the symptoms:
Get plenty of rest
Drink fluids to prevent dehydration
Take medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, or paracetamol, to relieve fever and pain.
http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/geo/united-states.html
[Edited on 8-11-2014 by bajaguy]
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
Member Is Offline
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Damn pesky mosquitos. In Baja we have Dengue, back in Colorado we had people get really sick with West Nile, and now we have some new mosquito with
something I can not even pronounce.
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