Treatment for Chikungunya can be done with the use of analgesics, antipyretics or corticosteroids, to alleviate symptoms such as high fever, joint pain or swelling, muscle pain or headache, for example.
Chikungunya is an arbovirus caused by the alphavirus that is transmitted by mosquito bites Temples of the Egyptians, the same disease that transmits dengue and Zika, and although the symptoms are similar, they have different intensities and characteristics, and in Chikungunya they can persist for more than 3 months. Understand better what Chikungunya is.
Although there is no specific treatment for Chikungunya, in case of suspicion it is important to consult a general practitioner or infectious disease specialist, and medications and physiotherapy may be indicated to alleviate symptoms.
Treatments for Chikungunya
The main treatments for Chikungunya are:
1. Increase water intake
Increasing your water intake helps keep your body hydrated and avoid dehydration, especially when symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea occur.
Additionally, drinking more water is important for the immune system to function properly, which helps fight alphavirus more quickly.
2. Take oral rehydration salts
Oral rehydration salts help replace fluids and minerals that are lost due to vomiting and diarrhea, preventing dehydration. Check out all the symptoms of dehydration.
Furthermore, homemade serum is also a great option for oral rehydration. See how to prepare homemade serum.
In cases of severe dehydration, the doctor may recommend hospitalization to receive intravenous serum.
3. Rest
Resting is important to help the immune system fight the virus that causes Chikungunya, and alleviate symptoms.
Furthermore, physical activities should be avoided, as they reduce the body’s defense, delaying the healing of Chikungunya.
4. Tomar paracetamol
Paracetamol is an analgesic and antipyretic that may be recommended by your doctor to alleviate the symptoms of Chikungunya, such as high fever, joint or muscle pain, headache or pain behind the eyes, for example.
This remedy can be indicated mainly for the acute phase of Chikungunya, which corresponds to the first 14 days of the disease.
Another analgesic and antipyretic that may be recommended by your doctor is dipyrone. Find out how to take paracetamol and dipyrone.
Although anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, diclofenac or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), may also sometimes be indicated, they are not recommended in the first 14 days of symptoms due to the risk of bleeding, if dengue fever is still suspected.
5. Use opioids
Tramadol, like codeine or oxycodone, is an opioid with strong analgesic action that can also be recommended by the doctor for acute or chronic Chikungunya, especially when paracetamol or dipyrone are not enough to relieve intense joint pain.
6. Take prednisone
Prednisone or prednisolone are corticosteroid medications that can be indicated after the 4th week of the onset of Chikungunya symptoms, especially in the case of synovitis, as they help to reduce inflammation in the joint and relieve pain.
7. Use antidepressants
Antidepressants such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline may be indicated especially in case of neuropathic pain, which is caused by the sensitivity of nerves in the body.
In addition to antidepressants, other medications for neuropathic pain that may be recommended by your doctor are anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin or pregabalin.
These remedies are mainly indicated for the chronic phase of Chikungunya.
8. Use antirheumatic medications
Antirheumatic medications, such as hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, may be indicated after the 4th week of the onset of symptoms in some cases.
Furthermore, especially when joint pain persists after 3 months, other antirheumatic medications such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine may also be indicated.
Read too: 10 Home Remedies for Chikungunya (and How to Prepare)
9. Do physical therapy
Physiotherapy is also recommended to control the symptoms of chronic Chikungunya and improve joint movement through exercises and stretching guided by the physiotherapist.
10. Apply cold compresses
In case of pain, applying cold compresses for 20 minutes to the affected joints may be indicated to alleviate the symptom, especially in the chronic phase of Chikungunya.
Furthermore, it is recommended to avoid long walks and excessive exertion so that the pain does not worsen.
How long does it take to cure Chikungunya
Chikungunya usually improves within about 1 to 2 weeks after symptoms begin, even without specific treatment.
However, sometimes the pain can take up to 6 years or more to improve, and the use of pain medications for a long period may be indicated. See the symptoms of Chikungunya and its duration.
Signs of improvement and worsening
Signs of improvement in Chikungunya include a reduction in symptoms, such as joint pain, fever, red spots on the skin and nausea, and appear when the body begins to eliminate the virus.
Signs of worsening include the persistence of symptoms, such as fever, nausea or vomiting, for more than 5 days, worsening pain in joints or muscles, mental confusion and bleeding, for example, making it important to seek emergency care for an evaluation.
Chikungunya sequelae
The main consequences of Chikungunya are joint pain, which can persist for years in some cases, swelling in parts of the body and difficulty moving the joints.
Furthermore, damage can occur to the brain, making concentration and motor coordination difficult, which can make it difficult to carry out daily tasks.
Read too: 8 main sequelae of Chikungunya (and how to treat)
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