Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya all have very similar symptoms, which usually go by in less than 15 days, but nevertheless, these three diseases can leave complications like pains that last for months or sequelae that can last forever.
The Zika can leave complications such as microcephaly, the Chikungunya can cause arthritis and catching dengue 2 times increases the risk of dengue hemorrhagic and other complications such as liver changes such as hepatitis or acute liver failure, and other diseases such as meningitis. However, these complications are rare.
Therefore, to improve well-being and quality of life after realizing that it was stung by Aedes Aegypti is recommended:
If You Get Dengue
The worst phase are the first 7 to 12 days, which leave a feeling of sluggishness and fatigue that can last for more than 1 month. So to feel better it is important to avoid efforts and physical exercises. Relax and try to sleep whenever possible until the illness caused by dengue fever. Taking soothing teas like chamomile and lavender can help you relax faster to sleep, favoring a restorative sleep.
In addition you should drink about 2 liters of water, natural fruit juice or tea so that the body recovers faster, eliminating the remaining viruses. Here are some simple strategies for drinking more water if that is a problem for you.
If you stay with Zika Virus
The 10 days after the sting are the most intense, but in most people Zika brings major complications because it is a milder disease than dengue. So you feel better if you eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids to strengthen the immune system so that recovery is even faster. Here are some foods that might help.
In addition, you should avoid the sting of Aedes Aegypti because it is not yet known if there is only one type of Zika virus.
If you stay with Chikungunya
The chikungunya causes pain in the muscles and joints, so feel free to put warm compresses on the joints for 20 to 30 minutes and stretch the muscles to try to relax and reduce the pain. Here are some stretching exercises that can help. Taking analgesics and anti-inflammatories under medical supervision is also part of the treatment.
This disease can leave sequelae like arthritis, which is an inflammation that causes intense joint pain that can last for months, requiring specialized treatment. Joint pain is more frequent in the ankles, wrists and fingers, and tends to be worse early in the morning.
What to do to not get stung again
To avoid being bitten by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito again you should take all possible measures to protect the skin, keep the mosquito away and eliminate its breeding foci. Thus, it is recommended:
- Eliminate all standing still water that can be used for mosquito breeding;
- Wear long-sleeved clothing, pants and socks, to further protect the skin;
- Pass repellent with DEET on exposed skin and subject to bites: such as face, ears, neck and hands. See a great homemade repellent.
- Placing screens on windows and doors so mosquitoes can not enter the house;
- Have plants that help repel mosquitoes like Citronella, Basil and Mint.
- Place a mosquito repellent impregnated on the bed to avoid mosquito at night;
These measures are important and should be adopted by all to prevent the dengue epidemic, Zika and Chikungunya, which, although they are more frequent in the summer, can occur throughout the year due to the heat in Brazil and the amount of rainfall.
If the person is already suffering from 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 to other people.
To increase the consumption of fiber, vitamins and minerals to strengthen the immune system, see 7 steps to learn to like vegetables.
