Warm and humid climate and water reservoirs serve as breeding ground for chickungunya.

From the beginning of 2006, the areas around the Indian Ocean underwent the outbreak of chickungunya. By the first week of March as many as 1,57,000 people were affected in the French island La Reunion and the disease has spread its wings to Seychelles, Mauritius, Mayotte (French) and has further traveled up to India, China and the European countries.

Symptoms:

The phenomenal symptoms of the disease include a sudden onset of chill, high body temperature that rises up to 102-103 degrees, Petechial(red or purple spots on the body) or Maculopapular rash(red spots or bumps) and Artharalgia meaning pain in the joints, Photophobia( sensitivity to sunlight or any light) and severe headache. The fever normally comes down in about a week’s time but however the prevalence of the other symptoms like insomnia, headache and particularly the joint pains are said to prolong for weeks. In older victims the joint pains are said to torture for even a couple of months. It may also rarely cause Hemorrhagic fever especially in children. The epidemic cycle resembles that of Dengue and yellow fever.

One can find some other dermatological symptoms of chickungunya in the southern and western parts of India include maculopapular ras, nasal blotchy erythema, flagellete, hyper pigmentation, multiple ecchymotic spots, lesions, utricaria etc.

Fetal contamination of chickungunya is uncommon before 22 weeks of gestation, but after 22 weeks the fetes can be affected if the mother is tested positive for viremia.

Treatment :

There is no specific treatment for Chikungunya but however ‘Chloroquine’ a drug used in treating malaria and also in arthritis problems is said to be of a promising cure to Chikungunya. The research by Italian scientist Andrea Savarino and his colleagues emphasizes on the fact that Chloroquine can be an effective cure in treating Chickungunya. A right amount of vitamins and antibiotics can help quicker recovery.

Analgesic and anticonvulsants are advocated in the treatment.

Preventive measures:

Cleanliness has to be advocated. A clean environment keeps the mosquitoes at bay. It is very essential to keep oneself safe from mosquito bites. Using mosquito repellents containing Deet or Permethrin can prove an effective cover from getting targetted by the mosquitoes. Both are chemicals used in keeping mosquitoes and ticks away. They are insect repellents that can be used on the clothes. They play an active role in blinding the senses of the insects to keep away from getting victimized. They can also be used on mosquito nets. They are effective participants in the prevention of mosquito borne diseases like dengue and malaria. Skin irritations owing to their usage are uncommon.

It is also very important to drain out any stagnated water around the residence. Any container or flowerpots containing water has to be emptied. Clothing that aids in minimal exposition of the body has to be adopted like full sleeves shirts or tops and pants. Victims should be safeguarded against further bites.

As parents, it is natural to fear your childs’ escapades, wild or non-wild, but these are the experiences that make him or her. You, as a parent, would find it scarier because you have been through the grind and you know how it could ruin you. It could have possibly ruined you to make absolutely expected teenage mistakes or you could have seen people whom you love make the most stupidest ever “teenage mistakes” which are absolutely expected but which could ruin one badly.

Teenage mistakes are better classified as rash stupid decisions that teenagers made for various reasons. One of the reasons why they suddenly break out is because they have been groomed over and over again…they want to do things for themselves for once. Over the years india and the world society has changed. They don’t want to be told. Now, being told doesn’t mean that you are under someone’s authority and that you are under oppression-but as expected that is one thing every groomed teenager tends to think and rebel for the sake of rebelling. You can curb their rebellion but they will eventually get that angst out sometime. No parent can control their children for too long unless they let them make their own decisions. Now as parents, you too must have gone astray a little bit atleast. You could deem it stupid (no doubt it is) but it served the purpose of making you understand in good time that it was indeed stupid of you to do so.

The secret to keeping teenagers under control is giving them their space when they think they need it. Soon enough they will realise that rebelling is only leading them to their own down fall and they will come to their senses. It is absolutely natural and instinctive to want to keep a hold on them but if you let them go they will come back with sense intact - just make sure they don’t cross the line.