The Cost of Chikungunya
Author : teriannLast week I discovered how it would feel to be around ninety years old. No, I did not have a terrible nightmare. Instead I was struck with the dreaded ‘chikungunya virus’.
I had bought and used several bottles of mosquito repellents and wore pants to ensure that I was protected. I got very nervous when everyone at work started getting sick. My anxiety level rose even higher when family members came down with the symptoms of the virus.
I increased my level of vigilance and no mosquito had a chance of making it through my house alive.
Despite all my precautions I awoke to the dreaded joint pain and fever.
So as I lay writhing in pain, I thought of everything the virus had cost not only me but several consumers.
It’s not that the cost of the painkillers was out of my reach but there were so many other things that made my experience expensive.
Transportation Costs
Being struck with the virus also known as ‘Chick V’ meant that you could only gaze longingly at any vehicle that you own as there was no way to maneuver your twisted fingers into any semblance of the driver’s hold on the steering wheel.
That meant you had to pay for a taxi as there was no way your body could handle the jostling it would face on public transportation.
Medical Fees
Of course the doctor fee has to be a part of the cost although it seemed as if all the doctors were able to do was sign off on sick leave and monitor your reactions to the virus.
Although there are free health centres and hospitals some steered clear for obvious reasons and chose instead to pay the extra money.
Low Productivity
During the height of my illness I ventured to a fast food restaurant only to discover that the staff seemed to be going extremely slowly.
When I inquired about the poor service, the manager informed me that half the staff was out sick with the virus and a significant amount were still suffering from its ill effects.
So what’s the true cost of chikungunya?
Let me hear from you!
Teri Ann Renee Paisley
Gleaner Online Writer
Tags: chikungunya virus
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11 Responses to “The Cost of Chikungunya”
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I Would like to know where this disease came from the
day people started getting infected this disease was given a name.
Now i heard it will take two years before it ,leave’s the body .Or destroy the body
could this be manufactured Pestilece ?
I don’t know either Eric but it seems to certainly ravage our bodies. Does it really take two years to get out of our bodies? That is a long time I can only hope we can endure it.
the people from oversea.the government must stop them from coming to jamaica, they have the ebola virus so we people can catch it too.
I think to prevent is better than to cure in some cases,i have a business partner we have been trying to get a response from the health mister to get mosquito repellent that is worn on the hand or on the cloths this not spray contains no deet or other chemicals,It is very effective in warding off mosquitos but they keep dragging their feet the time to start using these things is now. The country needs these items now
Well being in my fifth week and fourth day of a dreaded relapse I can move a finger today. This is the worse I have ever had to endure and I have had three c sections in the past. I’m scared about how and when it will leave me, when will I walk again. When will I be a person again.
I must say that I never heard of this dreaded virus before this year and am appalled to know that my minister knew it was on its way from 2years ago. We need to clean our country to respect ourselves and deal with garbage in the appropriate manner. Our government needs o put us first save travel and new car money to be put to use towards keeping us all healthy
So sorry to hear Vickie, I too struggled with a relapse, this virus has made some repeat attacks!
I came to the full realization of how much the ministers in government really does not care and i an deeply sadden to the point where it depresses me. Sirs and Madams, to know that you have a mandate to take care of us, protect us from such as this, but instead, you let it just about cripple the nation with its recurring pains that get worse each time,while you come out of meetings smiling. What is the message there? that we must grin and bare it!!!! You just check the percent of the population who has it and future level of performance and see if you get 100% ability soon 100% of the working population will be signing up for disablement pension and flexiwork week will be the total order of the day. The next holiday we will have is National Disability Day and that will be everyday. PNP hang your head in shame And JLP join them to.
Our leaders did not set the trend by asking God guidance at this time of seemingly imminent health and other crisis.
I caught the virus on October 23, 2014. Severe fever, twisted fingers and immense joint pains is not nice. And to read on this board that this could be in your system for many months, is disturbing. Well, I thought that I’ll be okay after two weeks, but it appears I may need at least 2 months.
Additionally – I’m so disgusted with the fitness club that I was a member of (Express Fitness). They were cold, insensitive and tried to use various tactics to force me to pay for the period that I was out with chikungunya.
I terminated my membership and informed several of my associates to do the same. It appears that they are trying take advantage of an epidemic. The following is from their Montego Bay manager “you signed a contract”.
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back in the future. All the best
Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!