Chikungunya, dengue outbreak in Delhi: What can you do!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Don't be scared if you've fallen victim to chikungunya or dengue fever infection that has taken a significant toll on Delhiites with a large number of people getting infected with the diseases.

But, don't get stung, because there's no specific medication to treat or vaccine to cure for these viruses. Yet, the best thing you and your family members can do is taking some precautionary steps such as – avoiding mosquito bites, maintaining a well-informed understanding of these viruses, using insect repellents, taking preventive medicines, etc. 

However, if you think you or a family member has been infected with these viruses, ensure that the following treatment is being followed:

• Drink plenty of water and other fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet consisting of a variety of fruits and vegetables.
• If symptoms develop and infection is suspected, check with your doctor first before starting medication
• Take medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or paracetamol to reduce fever and pain.
• Do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of bleeding).
• Also, take to your doctor before taking additional medication for another health condition.

Both dengue and chikungunya are spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquito.

Chikungunya is characterized by high fever, joint swelling and pain, muscle pain, rash, headache, nausea and fatigue. The joint pain is often very debilitating, but usually lasts for a few days or may be prolonged to weeks, months or even years.

Symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, bleeding from the gums, nose or ears, and rash.

So far, the death toll from mosquito-borne disease chikungunya has risen to 14 in Delhi this season. The death toll due to dengue has also risen to 18, with nine new cases reported by AIIMS on Thursday.

The death toll due to dengue has also risen to 14, with nine new cases reported by AIIMS on Thursday.

Hence, the death toll caused by vector borne diseases has reached 27, which also includes that of a 30-year-old man due to malaria.

Municipal Corporation data puts the number of dengue, chikungunya and malaria infections at 1,158, 1,057 and 21 respectively.

Stay safe!