a bout of the dreaded chikungunya...

On my way back from India, I began to feel ill. The pains had begun a few days earlier, but I attributed them to a double dose of rigorous yoga practice on Saturday. I now believe that I was very, very wrong.

While I was packing to return to the States, I had the notion to pack a couple of IB profin in my carryon just in case.... In the taxi going from Mysore to Bangalore, I felt pain and a little flu-ish. By the time I reached the airport, I knew that I had a fever. When I entered the country, they shot our foreheads with temperature guns for swine flu. I knew that if they did that, they would detect a fever and throw me into quarantine. I did my best to avoid all airport personnel and got up to my terminal.

While I waited the five hours for my flight (Anu overestimated the time it would take to drive to BGL by a longshot), I got myself an iced tea (AT USD PRICES!!!). I continued to feel feverish and began to get a little bit worried.

Nevertheless, I boarded the plane, assuming that I was exaggerating and being a hypochondriac as always.

On the way to Paris, I was in constant pain. I couldn't sleep as my joints simply ACHED. I tried to drink water, but that's always questionable on air planes.... I didn't get out the ib profin as I had an entire leg ahead of me and wanted to wait it out. FYI--I hate taking chemicals.

In Paris the pain did not subside and the headache fully presented itself. I was hot, cranky, and hurting all over. It didn't help that my flight from India was filled with a bunch of impatient travelers who pushed and shoved onto the terminal shuttle. I got to my gate to NYC as they were boarding, still avoiding any and all airport personnel.

On the plane to Paris, I knew I was in trouble. I was still extremely hot, my head throbbed, and I could feel every thing in my body--joints, bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, skin, hair...every thing. While the public health part of me told me that I needed to not get on a plane, the realistic side of me told me that I needed to get into the US with my insurance and language. (I have yet to learn French.)

The way to New York was miserabl, and I'm sure the woman next to me thought I was crazy. I didn't pop the pills, but got to New York tired, sore, and cranky. By this time the dizziness set in. I got to customs and was appalled at the slow-motion-performance of the customs officers. I was the 5th person in line and it took me over half an hour. My guy got up and left for about 25 minutes.

I finally collected my bags and dragged myself into a cab. My driver was a crank-pot and I was not in the mood for NYC BS. I got to my apt, dragged myself into my room, and collapsed in my bed. I felt slightly naseous, sore, dizzy, tired, and had a headache.

Recalling my symptoms of malaria, I knew that this was some thing else. I had also lost my appetite, and, for those of you who know me, my appetite is a sure indicator of my health. It is the LAST thing to go.

The next day I dragged myself to the health clinic, foregoing yoga practice and work obligations. I thought I was going to pass out the whole way there and could not believe the weakness I felt. I asked to be tested for dengue and malaria, reassuring them that I was not in a malaria zone. They stuck me on an IV and eventually I went home.

The fever lasted 3 more days. The peak (of measurement) was at approximately 102, and this was after I had stopped feeling on fire. Pretty nasty, I'd say. The fever continued to go in and out for 4 days, I felt terrible, had to sleep about 15 hours a day, and could barely make it to and from the subway station. No good. I hate being helpless and useless.

I went to Nevada to see my parents and experienced the bouts of pain, weakness, and tiredness throughout the trip. This was unfortunate as my parents thought I was being a drama queen. I tried to practice yoga and motivate myself to see people, but I was tired all the time. Blah.

Fast forward.

It looks like the bug I (and about 5 other expats people from the Mysore bubble and countless Indians) had was the dreaded Chikungunya virus. Spread by the nasty mosquitoes, it's pretty much impossible to treat/properly diagnose in the good ol USofA. The recovery time is approximately 3 months. I'm at one month (exactly!). The pain circulates throughout my body and it's pretty much a gamble on how I'm going to sleep/wake up. Luckily it has cycled through enough times that I've sort of gotten used to it and am regaining my strength. I can now get through a day, but still have a hard time in my yoga practice/walking. I got up to Mayurasana in second series last week, so I think that's a good sign! Sadly the pain has been in my lower back and hips the last few days, irritating the hell out of me.

In my global health class yesterday, I was perusing through AlertNet. Lo and behold, the Chikungunya has an alert! Naturally, I was a little ashamed when I read this sentence by Dr. James Diaz of the Louisiana University Health Sciences Center: "Travel by air will import the infected mosquitoes and humans," he added. "Chikungunya is coming."

I got on a plane. I was sick, got on a plane, and who KNOWS what happened in that tiny box of circulating air. I know better than that. To my credit, I am a bit of a hypochondriac and try to balance that out with reason. Regardless, I was actually ill and got on TWO planes. I know that it happens and that I'm not the only person from Mysore who was sick and got on a plane, but still. Globalization, man. It spreads disease.

I'm hoping to fully recover over the next couple of weeks. I'm also hoping to restore whatever karma it is that I've mistreated that puts me in these tropical infectious disease-situations. I'm waiting for a sign. Perhaps when I'm healed....

TIPS:
-don't get cocky and stop wearing your mosquito repellent
-if sick, make sure you have access to plenty of fluids
-it's good to have a friend around to help you out the first few days. It's practically debilitating and that makes it very difficult for us New York singles...
-never underestimate the power of tropical infections