Wilgens Sirise
Life is strange. It can take you by surprise, especially when you think everything is fine. That’s how I, Kenorl Jean, was faced with a disease I never thought I would ever experience: Chikungunya. Today, I want to share my experience, not only to shed light on this disease, but to help you understand how to recognize it, treat it, and protect yourself and your family.
What is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a virus that is spread through the bites of mosquitoes, specifically Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These are the same mosquitoes that carry dengue and Zika. But what makes Chikungunya different is the way it hits your body. It can feel like every bone is broken. I remember the first time I felt it, I woke up in the morning, my whole body aching. It wasn’t a little pain — it was like a fire burning inside your bones.
Symptoms Don’t Play
Symptoms come on quickly. In my case, it started with a fever that rose like fire. Then, all the joints in my body became stiff, I couldn’t lift my fingers, I couldn’t walk straight. It’s no lie — I was scared. I thought I was going to be paralyzed. Many people trust doctors and medicine, and that’s a good thing. But Chikungunya has no specific medicine that kills the virus. Your body has to fight it. That means you need rest, water, and love. Yes, love. Because when you’re sitting in bed, suffering, feeling alone, it’s the love of family, friends, and compassion that helps you not to give up.
How Do People Treat Chikungunya?
Here’s how I handled it:
- Rest is the best medicine
Never neglect this. The body needs all its energy to fight the virus. I took 3-4 days without getting out of bed, just sleeping, drinking water, and letting my mind rest.
- Water and Soup
I drank a lot of water every hour. This helps eliminate the virus faster. My mother made good soup, made me drink tea with natural herbs, such as almond leaves, lemongrass, and sage. These teas don’t cure you, but they do provide relief.
- Tylenol or Paracetamol
For pain and fever, I took Paracetamol (never Aspirin or Ibuprofen, because they can make things worse). This helps me keep a cool head, and lowers the temperature.
- Massage with essential oils
I used coconut oil with a little peppermint oil to massage my knees, wrists, and back. The massage relieved the pain and helped circulation.
And When You Think It’s Over…
Chikungunya doesn’t always leave your body easily. Some people, like me, continue to have joint pain for weeks, even after the virus has gone away. This is called post-viral polyarthritis. It’s a side effect, but it shows how painful the disease can be not only physically, but also mentally.
I remember sitting on the porch, watching other people walk without difficulty, and I, a young man who was always active, was slowing down like a 90-year-old. But I didn’t give up. It’s not just the body that needs to be treated, but the mind too.
Prevention Is Key
Here’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned: prevention is better than cure. Here’s what I do to avoid getting it again — and I hope you do too:
- Tie up stored water, put lids on buckets
- Clean all areas that can hold water: tires, flashlights, cans.
- Use mosquito nets on beds
- Use mosquito repellent, especially in the evening and morning
We can’t control everything in life, but we can be prepared. And that makes all the difference.
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Conclusion: Chikungunya Made Me Realize the Value of Health
Chikungunya wasn’t just a virus that hit me — it was a reminder that health is my greatest wealth. Since that day, I have never considered myself arrogant again. Every morning I wake up, I say: “Thank God, I’m not in bed anymore.”
If you ever feel sick, in pain, unable to walk properly, don’t ignore it. Call a doctor, rest, take care of yourself. And most importantly: share what you’ve learned. Because if you can save one person with what you’ve experienced, you’ve already done more than you think.
By – Wilgens Sirise
