Chikungunya – My Case

I was tested positive for Chikungunya in the month of September, 2020. Being a Nutritionist and a fitness coach and living a disciplined

Normally, when we live such a disciplined life our immunity is strong. But but but our health is a product of physical and mental well-being. And so does our immunity which is a product of physical and mental well-being. It is an inclusive world, and both types of well-being go hand-in-hand. So if mental well-being is out of sync it manifests on our physical health and vice versa.

Though I live a disciplined life on physical parameters, our mental health needs regular audit. And we take care of our mental health in many different ways such as travelling, recreational activities, self-care, socializing and the list goes on to let out. At times when we do not or are not able to take care of ourselves we lose our immunity.

Chikungunya – Simplified

It is a virus spread to people by infected mosquito bite. The common symptoms are fever, joint pains and joint swelling, muscle pain and muscle weakness, headache, rashes, itching. It is contagious through infected mosquito bite. Normally fever is taken care of around 48 hours upto 5-6 days and pain of joints and muscle depends on case to case and ranging from 14 days to 6 months.

As per research and science a human body has the intelligence to make Antibodies of this virus and this it cannot happen twice to any Individual (there can be exceptions)

Basic Treatment

1. There is no specific medication or vaccine

2. The best way to treat is hydration, rest and sleep

3. The medicine is only for taking care of fever i.e. paracetamol

This document is written for anyone who is tested positive for Chikungunya Virus(wish you are spared – but just in case) and can be of some help

Stages

Stage 1: (First Week)

You are down with fever and pain (low to severe) case to case basis. It is difficult to get up from the bed, to walk and body is under pain and feeling weak. At this point the body needs complete rest, lots of fluids, light wholesome food, sleep and to take care of fever- paracetamol as medication.

It is very painful for you to get up from the bed and walk up to the washroom. It is the primary need to drink a lot of fluids and hence the frequency of washroom visits increases. Many times you wish to skip consuming lots of fluid in order to save yourself from this pain but you need to do the reverse. Consume lots of fluids and bear the pain as it will work for your recovery and healing at a very fast pace. Avoiding fluids may lead to several other complications. “Remedy or cure is fluids – stick to it.”

Food and Fluids?

Light and wholesome homemade meals (Avoid Fermented and heavy pulses)

Fluids – Plain Water, lemon water, Coconut water, Fresh fruit juice, Vegetable Soups, Electoral water

How to deal with pain?

Pain is unavoidable but you can get some relief by doing slow movements of different parts of your body while lying on the bed.

Stage 2: (Second Week)

At this stage you may have no fever and rashes, itching, joint pain, muscle pain; weakness would have reduced to some extent. This depends on age, rest, food you consume and overall health and fitness level. The body is not completely recovered and demands rest and healing.

Food and Fluids?

Light and wholesome homemade meals (Avoid Fermented and heavy pulses)

Lots of fluids

Physical movement?

“Rest is the key” along with light stretching. Stretching will be quite painful and you need to be kind and gentle to yourself. Stretching is done to release the pain and feel better.

Stage 3 : (Third Week)

At this stage there is an urge to get back to normal routine and exercise routine but please make a note your body is not ready yet. Joint pain and swelling, Muscle pain and weakness takes more time to recover and heal and you need to keep patience with yourself.

Food and Fluids?

You can get back to your normal food habits (Avoid fermented) And stay hydrated at all times

Physical movement?

Exercisers: You will be tempted to start your normal routine for exercise but to your surprise 1 km of walking will seem like 10 km walk or ½ kg lifting will feel like 20 kg lifting

Go slow with yourself and you may start slow and short walks following by light stretching with Yoga belt/Large Napkin as stated above

Non-exercisers : Only light body movements

Note: If you strain yourself it may happen you get all the pain back as joints and muscles needs time to recover and heal

Stage 4: (Fourth Week)

You are on your way to recovery and healing and it totally depends on your body, overall health and fitness level, how well you have been taking care for the past few weeks, your rest and recovery.

Food and Fluids?

You can get back to your normal food habits

And stay hydrated at all times

Physical Activity/Exercise?

You are the best judge for yourself. You need to start slow and gradually progress. You need to consider yourself as a beginner and start all over. With patience, consistency, perseverance, determination and commitment you will get there soon.

Gentle massage will give relief and sound sleep

My Learning

I tested positive for this virus and it all started with high fever, joint and muscle stiffness & pain (hardly I could bend and was walking with pain) and I am totally grateful to the lifestyle I live that my recovery and healing was quick. I was fortunate that I was spared from swelling, itching, headache. In 48 hours my fever was normal and I was back to my normal routine from the third week with some muscle weakness, pain in the joints and stiffness. I would like to give full credit to rest and to myself for having patience. Though there was joint pain and muscle weakness; I came out soon and got back to my original exercise routine. Rest, sleep and hydration is the key for Chikungunya virus. Invest in your mental well-being and go all out for anything you like and enjoy!

Thank you for reading

Wish you good health and well-being!