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Chikungunya Prevention

What can people do to prevent becoming infected with chikungunya virus?
The best way to prevent chikungunya virus infection is to avoid mosquito bites. There is no vaccine or preventive drug currently available. Prevention tips are similar to those for other viral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as dengue or West Nile:

* Use insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 on exposed skin. Always follow the directions on the package.
* Wear long sleeves and pants (ideally treat clothes with permethrin or another repellent).
* Have secure screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
* Get rid of mosquito sources in your yard by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used.
* Additionally, a person with chikungunya fever should limit their exposure to mosquito bites to avoid further spreading the infection. The person should use repellents when outdoors exposed to mosquito bites or stay indoors in areas with screens or under a mosquito net.

strange ear infection got in cuba

Submitted by redblurb on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 14:49.

Ear Diseases

Vacationed in Cuba. Got an ear infection, went to front desk "oh, you've been swimming in the pool", sent to pharmacy where we bought ear drops and antibiotics cheaper than in Canada without having to see a doctor. Ear seemed to get better, but by the time we returned home and antiobiotics ran out, earache started up again, as well as numbness. WEnt to ENT specialist who 'vacuumed' out the ear, took a swab (but was unable to culture it in a lab to find out what it was - fungus, bacteria? Anyone ever heard of this? Have now lost 35% hearing in ear and pain is gone, but numbness and swelling have moved to the back of my head. Has anybody ever heard of anything similar coming from Cuba or thereabouts? After we returned to Canada, we emailed the hotel and asked if they knew of any bacteria or fungus specific to there that would be hard to treat with the usual stuff, to no avail. Would appreciate any advice...
Cont'd:
ear infection gone but ear still feels uncomfortable at times and there's tingling and numbness moving to different areas of my head and neck - sometimes it feels like there's a bug crawling on my scalp, strange lump on back of my neck that makes a crunching sound when I bend my head backwards.... any ideas? MRI doesn't show any problem with my ear or nerves, but a couple of white spots showed up on my brain, so now I"m off to see the neurologist, even though the new ENT doesn't think it's a problem.

Most probably its Otomycosis

Submitted by Nice Doctor on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 15:59.

Hi,

I think what you have is "otomycosis". Here you get fungal infection in the external ear which can explain the symptoms you have. Are you a diabetic? Do you use any thing (e.g. cotton buds) to clean the ears ? Both can aggravate the condition.

You need to get an ENT opinion again.

“If A equals success, then the formula is A equals X plus Y and Z, with X being work, Y play, and Z keeping your mouth shut. - Albert Einstein"

your reply about my ear infection and continued head problem

Submitted by redblurb on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 02:09.

Why do you ask if i'm diabetic? As a matter of fact, during this strange episode, while on prednisone, my sugar level was 24, and then later, off the prednisone and fasting, my sugar level was 14, over twice what it should be, so I've now been diagnosed with diabetes and prescribed metformin. I think it is helping. My wife says that my mood and personality (since starting the metformin) have changed drastically back to the happy-go-lucky man that she fell in love with.
I digress...
Please explain to me your remark/query about the diabetes.

Otomycosis is more common in Diabetes

Submitted by Nice Doctor on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 09:01.

redblurb

sorry for the late reply.

Let me explain. One of the main reasons for the fungal infections developing like this is due to low level of immunity. Diabetes reduces the body's immune system by multiple ways thus making people prone to fungal infections such as yours.

Get the sugars under control and that will help in controlling the ear infection if any.

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