Chic Gets Gooned

Chikungunya (cheek-n-goon-ya). Yep, this hit Cyndi over the past week here in Barbados. It's really no wonder that she got it.... as the name implies... chick I'm gonna goon ya. Poor Cyndi...

The word 'chikungunya' is believed to have been derived from a description in the Makonde language, meaning "that which bends up", or the contorted posture of people "who walk bent" while affected with the severe joint pain and arthritic symptoms associated with this disease.

Wikipedia says it's an infection in humans that is caused by the chikungunya virus and is transmitted to humans by infected female mosquitoes. The virus is spread between people by two types of mosquitoes that have been given strange Latin names. They will bite a human (me) who is already infected and then bite another human (Cyndi) and give it to them. This could also happen when you are sitting by the beach watching the sunset at your favourite beach bar... a nasty little mozzie finishes a feast on the sweaty guy at the next table and then non-chalantly drifts over and “picks” on you while you're snapping pictures at your table. Yikes!

Apparently they do their nasty work during the day and also during the usual dusk hours when they come in droves. The virus can circulate within a number of animals including monkeys, birds and rodents – yes, it's a nasty bit of business. The symptoms can be mistaken for those of dengue fever and Zika fever. The good news is that after you have a single infection it is believed most people become immune.

Our doctor at the clinic here in Barbados said the outbreak on the island has been rampant for past few years. The travel.gc.ca site also confirms this: “Local transmission of chikungunya has been reported on many islands of the Caribbean, countries in Central and South America and Mexico. Outbreaks in this region are ongoing with over 1.5 million suspected and confirmed cases reported since December 2013”.

Symptoms include a fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may occur, including headache, fatigue, digestive complaints, and conjunctivitis (redness in the eye). I think Cyndi was blessed with all of the symptoms. Cyndi is taking her meds (mostly anti-inflammatory pills and pain relievers) and is well on the way to recovery but it was a bad week...

The stiff and sore joints have been likened to arthritis pain. The symptoms typically occur two to twelve days after exposure (usually about a week) so it's difficult to go find that nasty mosquito and smack him a good one. Most people are better within a week of symptoms appearing. However, occasionally the joint pain may last for months. The World Health Organization says there is no cure for the disease.

Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms – lots of great drugs for that to help you feel a bit more comfortable but it seems your tropical vacation will be spent sleeping as it really makes you tired. Thank goodness for hammocks.

Prevention is defined as covering exposed skin areas with long sleeves and trousers tied securely at wrists and ankles while wearing a nice hat with a fine mesh net. Not sure if I would enjoy that for too long on the beach. The easiest alternative – DEET is your best friend...and stay out of the swamp if you have a predisposition to indulge in that sort of thing.