6. Nausea and Vomiting: Chikungunya’s Unsettling Effects on Digestion
With Chikungunya, the body is thrown into disarray. Often, the digestive system bears the brunt of the virus’s invasion, resulting in symptoms like nausea and vomiting. As the body’s defense mechanisms work overtime to fight the virus, some individuals feel a constant unease in their stomach, a sensation that something is “off.”
This feeling of nausea can manifest suddenly and can be so intense that it results in vomiting. While this symptom isn’t as universal as joint pain or fever, it’s significant enough that many patients remember the unsettling sensation it brings. Moreover, the very act of vomiting can lead to dehydration, which can exacerbate the feeling of fatigue.
Interestingly, the root cause of this nausea isn’t entirely clear. Some speculate it might be due to the body’s elevated temperature affecting digestive enzymes, while others believe it’s a direct result of the virus attacking the stomach lining. (6)
