Symptoms
Patient suffers from high-grade fever along with severe body ache, headache, nausea, vomiting, rashes, severe joint pain and extreme fatigue. Fever is generally high grade and above 102 * F. It lasts for generally two days but the debility remains for days or weeks together. Fatigue and joints pain give rise to a lot of debility. Red bloodlike patches or maculopapular rashes are seen on limbs and trunk along with fever which resembles to dengue. Multiple joints pain or arthralgia makes it difficult for a patient to move around. So the patient has to take complete bed rest.

Chickengunya is diagnosed by a simple blood test done in pathology laboratory. As there are no specific drugs available for the treatment of Chickengunya, prevention is the best possible tool. Patient is advised complete bed rest. Drugs like Ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol are given to control aches and pains. Patient is advised to take lots of fluids orally. If this is not possible then IV fluids are given. Patient is advised to take a healthy balanced diet so that he recovers fast.

PREVENTION
Chickengunya is transmitted by mosquito bites so the most important thing is to avoid exposure to mosquitoes. This can be done by protecting the doors and windows by mosquito nets. Full sleeve shirts and pants should be worn. Stagnant water reservoir is the best breeding place for the mosquito. So such stagnation of water should not be allowed. House and surrounding areas should be kept clean and dry. Swimming pools if not in used, should be kept clean and dry. Mosquito repellents containing DEET should be applied on the body. Person who is infected with chickengunya should remain indoors only so as to limit his own exposure to mosquito and thus preventing its spread to other people.