- How long to heal Chikungunya
- Medicines for Chikungunya
- Treatment for chronic Chikungunya
- Signs of improvement
- Signs of worsening
- Complications and warning signs to return to the doctor
To reduce joint pain and swelling caused by Chikungunya, one should follow the treatment indicated by the doctor, which may include the use of Paracetamol, cold compresses and drink plenty of fluids such as water, tea and coconut water.
Chikungunya is not a serious disease, however the symptoms can be quite limiting, as the joints become inflamed, which causes a lot of pain. Because of this, in some cases the treatment of Chikungunya can be prolonged.
How long to heal Chikungunya
Usually, the treatment lasts between 7 to 30 days, but the pain in the joints can remain for more than 1 year, being necessary, in these cases, to undergo physical therapy. And rest during the acute phase, which corresponds to the first 10 days of the disease, is very important because it prevents complications and reduces the duration of the disease.
Medicines for Chikungunya
The most indicated drugs are Paracetamol and / or Dipyrone to control pain in the muscles and joints, however others such as Tramadol Hydrochloride and Codeine can be indicated when the first are not enough to relieve symptoms.
Initially, the use of a combination of Paracetamol and Codeine to relieve pain may be indicated, as it is a stronger analgesic, and Tramadol can be used as a last resort, but it should be used with caution by the elderly and people who have already had seizures and / or liver or kidney disease.
As in dengue, the drugs that should not be used are Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Nimesulide and Corticosteroids, due to the risk of complications related to kidney problems and bleeding.
Treatment for chronic Chikungunya
Treatment for chronic Chikungunya can be done with the use of corticosteroids such as Prednisone for up to 21 days, in the dose recommended by the doctor. This medication, however, cannot be used in patients with diseases such as diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, osteoporosis, bipolar disorder, chronic renal failure, Cushing's syndrome, obesity and heart disease.
Physiotherapy can be very useful to control symptoms and improve joint movement and is recommended by the physiotherapist. At home the person can perform daily stretches, avoiding long walks and a lot of efforts. Cold compresses are more recommended and can be used for 20 minutes to decrease joint pain.
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Signs of improvement
The signs of improvement appear when the body is able to eliminate the virus and include a decrease in symptoms.
In some cases, tiredness and joint pain and swelling may persist after the disease has healed, so the general practitioner may recommend physical therapy sessions to help reduce discomfort.
Signs of worsening
When the treatment is not done properly, or the immune system is altered, signs of worsening may appear, such as fever above 38º for more than 3 days and worsening of joint pain, leading to arthritis, which can persist for months.
In very rare cases, Chikungunya can be fatal. In this case, the disease can cause myositis, an inflammation of the muscles, which can even lead to death because the immune system begins to attack the muscles of the body. Symptoms may begin to appear about 3 weeks after the diagnosis of the disease.
Complications and warning signs to return to the doctor
It is important to go back to the doctor when, after the start of treatment, the fever persists for 5 days or if other symptoms appear that may indicate complications such as bleeding, seizures, fainting, chest pain and frequent vomiting. In these cases, the person may have to be admitted to the hospital to receive specific treatment.
