“I’m not afraid of skeeters!”
(Jama Ecuador) – I remain humbled by a tiny insect. How many of you have ever been resting comfortably until the hummming sound of a nearby mosquito suddenly went silent? We wonder where it landed, and if it’s about to take a blood sample! If there’s a mosquito-borne epidemic in your area, you’ll dart for the repellent! Oh, I marvel at the power of a tiny mosquito!
As I entered the clinic yesterday, another friend was leaving.
“Dengue,” Patricia smiled.
Patricia works at the corner grocery store, and I wondered if her coworkers were sweating out the same illness. There seem to be just as many people sick with dengue as they are with Chikungunya.
Most any person in town seems to enjoy saying this new word, Chikungunya. (Repeat After Me: “Chee-Koon-Goon-Yah.”)
As for my recent illness, it’s not dengue, but it might be Chikungunya, though the doctor seemed surprised that I am now free of all symptoms.
“What medications are you taking?” she asked.
“Nothing,” I smiled.
She looked at me as if I’d just told her that I’d cut off my fingers to stop the pain.
“Nothing? I will write you a prescription for pain.” (Total conversation in Spanish)
“But nothing hurts anymore,” I shrugged and looked at my friend Dady and wondered if the doctor spoke English. (I decided to keep my comments silent, though Dady knew that I had no intention of filling this rx.) She and I traded smiles.
The doctora predicted that it’s ‘just a virus.’
Earlier this week, Luchy’s bloodwork showed, “Chikungunya,” and since my sickness was most likely contracted when I was visiting him, we’re assuming that the next round of tests will be positive for CHIKV.
From WHO: “Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease first described during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952. … The name ‘chikungunya’ derives from a word in the Kimakonde language, meaning “to become contorted” and describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain (arthralgia).”
CHIKV first reached the Americas via the Caribbean in San Martin in December 2013; as of March of this year, 1,256,430 people in the Americas have been infected. It reached Ecuador in early October 2014, and it has quickly racked up over 3500 cases in the coastal areas. Most of the cases have come from Columbia and into Esmeraldes province. As of April 2015, Manabi was a close second with over 1,300 cases. (El Diario)
I am to return to the clinic on Monday for more blood tests, since one should wait 8 days after the fever to test for chikungunya. No matter what it’s called, I’m glad to be well again!
Last weekend the ocean’s powerful waves thundered upriver and rounded the bend.
Mother Nature flexes her muscles when the waves slam the shore and when the river purges, but she also illustrates her power through the lowly mosquito.
I remain humbled. Z
Daily Post Weekly Challenge: Forces of Nature
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
I’m glad you’re really and truly feeling better. How’s this for a little perspective?
yay! the drop=down comment bar just loaded! thank you for all of your support and feedback over the past week. the comic strip even loaded, and i chuckled!
am still tired and am resting a lot, but i continue to marvel at my wellness! yay!
Dengue and Chikunguna are definitely humbling. You are a marvel of strength and humbleness. Take care mi amiga and thanks for the updates.
with your rainy season just beginning, youll probably be seeing the stats rising as well. el salvador has had a horrid time w/chikv…
i read your post, loved the egret photo, but alas, no comment option for slow internet! z
Geez. I lost my comment. I suspected Chikungunya after you said your feet hurt. Both Dengue and Chikungunya are indeed humbling illnesses. I marvel at your strength and humility. Take care mi amiga. Thanks for the updates.
well it was dodging mosquitoes, i believe… thanks for commenting twice.. you’ve won some big brownie points! z
Glad to hear that you are doing so much better. Isn’t amazing that a member of the human race that can build a 100 story skyscraper or fly to the moon, can also be beaten down and humbled by a simple insect. Great perspective.
that is a great comment, one that gave me a very great laugh. thanks, and youre right!
Have been away for over a week and am just now catching up. Didn’t know you were sick, Lisa, and am glad to hear you are better and resting. I have a friend who once lived in Ecuador and got dengue fever and was quite sick. But, the chickguya is new to me. Between the cough, allergies and now this, you deserve a long break, Amiga. 🌺
thanks for the bright nosegay!
i suspect that the chikgunya will eventually taint the lower mosquito-ridden states… especially if it piggy bcks on unsuspecting travelers to central america..
I don’t care for mosquitoes whether they’re carrying a transmissible disease or not! The only thing they’re good for is bat food. Was just wondering, however, if the “chik” virus can recur, or do you become immune once you’ve had it?
I’m glad you’re well, Lisa. I’ve never heard of this disease. Mosquitoes can wreak havoc, can’t they?
Chikungunya is a new one for me. Heard a lot about Dengue when I was in Puerto Vallarta a couple of years ago, but not this. Glad you’re better.
Something so small.
I have never heard of this disease. Thank goodness you are now well Lisa.
I never heard of Chikungunya, and I hope you do not get the joint pain. It is no fun painting with hands not working properly. Glad you are feeling better though.
I’d never heard of Chikungunya and sort of which I hadn’t! It sounds pretty horrible. Whatever it was, I am so glad you’re about done with it.
A big big hug to the woman who beat Chikungunya! 🙂 and many of those: xxxxxxx
Oh dear, checking in after a long absence and see I’ve missed your entire illness. The good news is you seem to have mended or at least be close to well so phew!!!! Hope you’re at 100% before you know it. Dreaded mosquitoes!!!
the illnesss took a half-time break and returned few days ago.. will be returning for more blood work in a few hours.
so glad you’re feeling much better. We haven’t had much rain in the small area here along the coast, so less of the nasty little guys but more dust and allergens in the air plus IMHO, more bacteria in our water sources, which has caused other medical issues for people here, including myself. Three weeks, three docs ( incuding Dr Mary self treating) and two different groupings of meds. This last set seems to be doing their job , but truthfully some of the stuff I’d rather not be taking, but got to knock it out of the ballpark. We’ve had both dengue and Chik in our area so trying to be more proactive against those little buggers especially while my body is trying to build back up immunities. Get strong, stay healthy amiga, love and hugs
oooh; i’m so sorry that you are having water-distress symptoms and hope that you finid a solution. many people here have under-the-sink filter/machines and even put their dishes beneath the filtered water when rinsing. they don’t even cook with the muni water.
the illness too a half-time break and returned with a new attack.. this time low fever and muscle pain and inability to sleep well. i’ll be returning in a few hours for more blood work… i read that chikv arthritis symptoms can stick around sometimes for years.. if so i will hve to find a solution for this pain…
presently i’m thinking that full-time immersion in a hot tub would be heaven!
so sorry you are feeling bad again…but your last post about a hot bath brought back yet another funny memory of our childhood days….when Pat and I came in from being in the rain during the summer but we were cold and she went to the bathroom in the girls’ dormitory and I went to your parents’ bathroom in the hallway..(I’m sure you remember me telling you this) I was soaking in the hot bathtub trying to warm up and with a door in the hallway and one in the dining room, Charlie Boy opened the hallway door cutting through to the dining room area door to shortcut going to the kitchen. When he saw me in all my glory (not much..hahah) he yelled at ME for being in there! Hahaha..I covered everything I had while he continued to storm through yelling something about what was I doing in there during the middle of the day or something. Hope you get completely well soon my friend!
Great, just what we all need, another disease to worry about, Fortunately neither Dengue or Chukawatever have come this far north. All we fuss over are Lyme, Rocky Mountain Tick Fever, and bird flu. Dangled insects. Glad you,re feeling better.
you are so funny – chukawatever is a great nickname for that illness! thanks, amiga!
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