Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya have very similar symptoms, which usually subside in less than 15 days, but despite this, these three diseases can leave complications such as pain that lasts for months or sequelae that can last forever.
Zika can leave complications like microcephaly, Chikungunya can cause arthritis and getting dengue twice increases the risk of hemorrhagic dengue and other complications, such as changes in the liver or meningitis.
So, to improve well-being and quality of life check out the types of care you should have for each type of infection, to recover faster:
1. Dengue
The worst phase of dengue is the first 7 to 12 days, which leave a feeling of drowsiness and fatigue that can last for more than 1 month. Therefore, in this period it is important to avoid efforts and very intense physical exercises, being advised to relax and try to sleep whenever possible. Taking calming teas such as chamomile or lavender can also help you relax faster to sleep, favoring restorative sleep that aids in recovery.
In addition, you should drink about 2 liters of water, natural fruit juice or tea so that the body will recover faster, eliminating the virus more easily. Here are some simple strategies for drinking more water, if that is a problem for you.
2. Zika virus
The 10 days after the bite are the most intense, but in most people, Zika does not cause major complications because it is a milder disease than dengue. Therefore, to ensure a better recovery, the most important precautions are to eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids, to strengthen the immune system and help eliminate the virus. Here are some foods that can help.
3. Chikungunya
Chikungunya usually causes pain in the muscles and joints, so placing warm compresses on the joints for 20 to 30 minutes and stretching the muscles can be good strategies to relieve discomfort. Here are some stretching exercises that can help. Taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs under medical supervision is also part of the treatment.
This disease can leave sequels such as arthritis, which is an inflammation that causes severe joint pain that can last for several months, requiring specialized treatment. Joint pain is more frequent in the ankles, wrists and fingers, and tends to be worse in the early morning.
Watch the following video and learn what to do to relieve pain faster:
What to do to not be stung again
To avoid being bitten by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito again, all measures that help protect the skin, keep the mosquito away and eliminate its breeding spots should be adopted. Thus, it is recommended:
- Eliminate all standing water that can be used for mosquito breeding; Wear long-sleeved clothes, pants and socks, to protect the skin more; Apply DEET repellent to exposed and pricked skin: face, ears, neck and hands. See a great homemade repellent. Place screens on windows and doors so that the mosquito cannot enter the house; Have plants that help repel mosquitoes like Citronella, Basil and Mint. Place a repellent-impregnated musketeer on top of the bed to avoid mosquitoes at night;
These measures are important and must be adopted by everyone to prevent the epidemic of dengue, Zika and Chikungunya, which despite being more frequent in the summer, can appear throughout the year due to the heat that is made in Brazil and the amount of rain.
If the person already has dengue, zika or chikungunya it is also important to avoid being bitten by the mosquito because the virus present in your blood can infect the mosquito, which did not have these viruses, and thus, this mosquito can pass the disease on to other people.
To increase your consumption of fiber, vitamins and minerals to strengthen your immune system, see 7 steps to learn to like vegetables.
