Chikungunya/ChikV report

[Inity]

I've been a lurker on here for some time and have seen the posts worrying about ChikV and asking to hear from someone who has actually had it. So I thought I'd share my story.
I've heard people say it kinda like Dengue, from what I've heard from friends who've had Dengue that's far worse than my experience with the Chikungunya.
It started Thursday evening 3.5 weeks ago. I felt a pain in my wrist and wondered if it was my tendinitis acting up. An hour later my ankle start pain me. Same ankle that I've sprained bad a couple of times years ago. So now both my wrist and ankle hurt. Not too too bad still, just that annoying kinda pain. My mind run to think maybe I catch that Chikungunya thing, but not wanting it to be so.
I had my late night sub and want sleep. I slept for a couple of hours and woke up feeling chilly and emotional. I realize I have a fever and come to terms with the fact I now have Chikungunya. My mind was all over the place with thoughts on this here virus and how it will affect me in the long run.
I took some panadol and had another sub accompanied by water. Again I drop asleep. Next morning I was hopping around the house, pain in my ankles, feet, wrists and hands. This day was the worst one, and without painkillers in my system I couldn't uncork an unopened soda bottle. I cried and whimpered. Not so much due the pain but the fever. I deal very poorly with fever... My knees too started to ache, luckily not as bad the smaller joints. As I already stated, this was my worst day. However, it wasn't so bad that I was rendered completely useless. With panadol in my system I was able to bubble a pot of veggie soup. Which means I could stand up and chop veggies. With the same hands that couldn't open a bottle without panadol.
I got through the Friday with panadol and subs. Saturday was about the same but less fever which in my case is pretty good considering my emotional state. I'll take pain over fever any day!
I lost my appetite and, I can tell you for free, that rarely happens to me! I made sure to drink lots of water and teas and made sure the little I ate was as nutritious as possible.
Sunday I was completely rid of the fever and the pain started to subdue. Monday I was able and willing to leave the house. It might have been a little too soon, but I get so antsy. I spent the next couple of days relaxing. I'm here for a long time so for me to take some days resting isn't really a big deal. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything as I would have felt had I been here for two weeks. Then again, if two weeks was what I was working with I would be out and about after the fever broke. Sure I wasn't feeling a hundred and I'm thankful I had the time to rest those days. That being said, I know I would have been fine leaving the house.
The following Thursday or Friday the rash appeared. I was covered! It wasn't really that itchy, less than mosquito bites. I just looked ridiculous.
Luckily the rash started fading the next day and the day after that it was gone. I was ChikV free!!!

Alright, so this is my experience with it. To sum it up I'll say it wasn't worse than a bad flu. I've had the flu worse than this. Other symptoms I experienced were headache, conjunctivitis and a funny sensation in the skin of my palms and bottom of the feet. To describe the pain I would say it feels almost like a sprain. Especially the ankle. Given that my ankle have been sprained badly before I'm used to it sometimes acting up. The ankle was the last pain to go and I'll admit I sometimes feel it pain me up, like today.

I see some of you are considering canceling your trip. I understand that given all the information online coming your way. I can't tell you what do to but I can share what I would do knowing what I now know. You can only catch Chikungunya once(although some have experienced relapse) so I'm now immune. Had that not been the case I still wouldn't cut my trip short ( I'm here till March) and I would keep coming back. Would I risk it for a two weeks vacation? Yes, I most definitely would! It's not like I recommend catching the thing, it wasn't exactly a walk in the park. But it wasn't hell neither. I was just sick.
I know everyone gets it different, some worse than others. Either I got off easy or I just deal well with being sick. Except the fever, fever makes me cry.
Which ever way you look at it, Chikungunya will now be endemic in not just Jamaica but all of the Caribbean.

Bottom line for me, I'd risk it.

Additional information: It took me well over a month and plenty of bites to catch it.

[Jammin Jamaica Tours]

When people are coming to the island, just make sure you have insect repellant with you and use it day and night. They have some lovely natural ones available if the more chemical ones are not your style. There are never any guarantees that it won't happen, but it can help by taking the time to make sure you are protected.

[mick]

Thanks for that Inity .

Im in two minds coming down but will probably .Im gonna bring some johnson & johnson mosquito repellent (they use it on babies in asia) & have also booked an appointment at the doctors for the flu jab (I hope it works ) & have told my DR im going to India so will need some shots .

[Lola]

Hi Inity, thanks for your report. Sounds similar to the experience of a friend who had it.

[MoFromMonroe]

This was very informative. I won't be cancelling my vacation but will definitely be wearing repellent.

[Jamakafun]

I'm wondering if mosquito coils will help? I found some in my camping kit. I'm not sure I will find any in the stores right now, since it is "off" season, but I will be looking. I'm planning on bringing the little coil holder and will have it smoking near our chairs. I might look ridiculous, I've loaded up on insect repellent of different varieties and plan on plastering it on frequently. Maybe some citronella candles toooooo? laugh out loud-anything is worth a try.

[negril#1fan]

I always take and burn coils on my trips.... Wouldn't be the same without the smell of my burning coils in the evening...

[Inity]

There is no problem getting coils as far as I can see. The Indian behind Valuemaster has those electric rackets to zap them.

[negrilmaven]

Were you using insect repellent morning noon and night?

[Bnewb]

We've increased our use of insect repellent the last couple of months and so far so good...neither one of us has had chikungunya. There are affordable brands here that work well...we've been using Bunny's brand which is priced under 400J.

The ministry had already been fogging previously around Negril & other areas...which may be a factor, along with hotels doing they're own fogging, in keeping the number of cases fairly low in Negril.
Recently, we've had the national emergency called...which thankfully frees up more money to continue to keep the mosquitoes at bay, etc.