Introduction
| History | Signs and Symptoms | Duration | Living with the effect of RRV | FAQs | Bibliograhpy | Back to Prohealth
Introduction:
The
resulting illness is known as epidemic polyarthritis.
(Note:
RRV is not contagious through close contact, however some experts believe
mosquitos may be infected by humans during the incubation period.)
History:
During
the autumn of 1886 in Natimuk, Victoria, Dr Weber saw thirty patients with
similar symptoms, which were later deemed to be caused by an undescribed
arbovirus.
In
1963, Doherty and his colleagues isolated the virus thought to be responsible
for that outbreak, now known as Ross River virus.
Ross
River virus became a notifiable disease in 1985. Since then the number of
reported cases of Ross River virus in Australia has been steadily increasing
although there is marked seasonal variation.
Signs and
symptoms:
There
is an incubation period after being bitten of between 3 days and 3 weeks.
It
is believed that many people contract the virus, however some are fortunate
enough to escape the development of symptoms.
Of those who go on to develop symptoms, many do not recognise them as
being related to RRV and do not seek medical attention. Therefore the illness is under-reported to
the health authorities.
The
most common symptoms of the virus are arthritis and fatigue. Initially a rash
and fever my also be present (although these symptoms last a few weeks
only). Other common symptoms include:
myalgia (aching muscles), arthralgia (aching bones), vomiting, headaches, and
depression.
Not
everyone will display all of the possible symptoms or experience the same
severity of each symptom, making diagnosis difficult for medical practitioners
who often have limited experience with the disease.
Duration:
Epidemic polyarthritis occurs in episodes. The initial occurrence can be long lasting
(up to 6 months), after which patients will experience some reprieve.
Eventually patients will have more good days than bad, until the symptoms cease
entirely.
Different
strains of the virus exist in Australia, and therefore different recovery times
also exist. Evidence from RRV studies
seems to suggest that eastern states strains produce more severe symptoms than
in the west. However, the illness is shorter in duration than is experienced by
patients in Western Australia.
Studies
also suggest the duration of the actual virus is quite brief, perhaps six
weeks, with long lasting effects being a post viral syndrome.
Living with the effects of RRV:
Since there is no known cure for RRV doctors are only
able to treat symptoms with drugs.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are often used to manage the
arthritis caused by the virus. It’s important for each patient to find an
anti-inflammatory which suits them. If your first prescription is not suitable,
return to your doctor and ask for another type.
After months, often years, of pain and fatigue many
patients will experience depression. RRV
patients may are said to be 44 times more likely to suffer depression than the
general community.
While drug therapy may be required, it’s important to
remember that a strong, understanding support network cannot be replaced by
drugs.
Unfortunately RRV patients are often labelled as lazy,
using their RRV status as an excuse to avoid responsibilities. From a personal
perspective, this kind of discrimination has been more difficult to cope with
than the chronic pain, and the frustration of not being able to participate in
life as fully as I would otherwise choose to.
Patience and moderation are the key coping mechanisms
required to survive RRV with ones sanity intact. As symptoms subside, and energy levels begin
to rise, the temptation to get on top of ones responsibilities is
enormous. However, depleted energy
levels have a negative effect on the immune system. Symptoms will return
quickly, often with more intensity, if you over-do it.
Therefore energy output must be carefully paced. Try to set achievable goals for each day that
will leave you with some energy in reserve.
Another very important factor to consider when planning
activities is the need to set aside time for oneself. The dishes will always be there, the floors
will always need cleaning, and the garden will always have weeds. So accept
that you cant do everything. Your mental state (and the mental state of
everyone around you) will be healthier if you do something for yourself each
day.
Plan to fill otherwise inactive time with something that
you enjoy, eg. read your favourite book, have your hair done, search the
internet, watch your favourite TV shows etc.
Diet can also play a part in the development of symptoms. Ones liver function is adversely affected by
RRV, so it’s recommended that foods containing excessive amounts of toxins
should be avoided.
Personally I’ve found the following foods will bring on
symptoms: tomato based products (I’m told tomatoes ripened on the bush are ok),
potatoes (and other vegetables of the eggplant family), tea, coffee, alcohol,
and citrus juices.
Alternative therapies are often suggested to treat
RRV. These range from electric shock
therapy to herbal remedies.
Since the liver can be over-loaded as a result of the
virus, anti-oxidants may be used to reduce the level of toxins in the
bloodstream. Many people report reduced
symptoms while taking large doses of Vitamin C. More potent forms of
anti-oxidants are now available in pharmacies and health food stores.
Unfortunately these herbal remedies are often too
expensive to take long term, so it makes more sense to avoid foods high in
toxins.
Frequently
Asked Questions:
Is
there a cure? No. There is no known cure for RRV. Treatment of the disease is limited to
management of its symptoms.
Can
others catch the virus from me? Theoretically yes, although this has
not been proven. In the early stages of the virus it may be possible for an
infected human to pass the virus onto a mosquito if bitten. Others bitten by
the same insect could be at risk. The
virus is NOT transmitted by close contact with others.
Do
children recover faster than adults? This is a difficult question to
answer. Studies undertaken to date have not contained sufficient numbers to say
for certain one way or the other.
Anecdotal evidence suggests ‘it depends’, probably on the state of the
individuals’ immune system at the time of infection. Since children tend to be
under less stress, and usually enjoy a better overall state of health than
adults, it would follow that their resistance to disease, and their recouperative powers, would be greater than most adults,
but not always.
Can
I contract the virus twice or am I now immune forever? It was once
thought that once antibodies from infection would offer life long protection
from subsequent exposure to RRV.
However, this has not been scientifically established. Again,
insufficient numbers of patients in studies to date make it impossible to say
for sure. Anecdotal evidence suggests
you can contract the virus twice. So don’t forget repellent!
Bibliography:
Condon,
R.J. and Rouse, I.L. 1994. Acute symptoms and sequelae of Ross River virus
infection in the South West of Western Australia. Perth: Health Department of
Western Australia.
Health
Department of Western Australia. 1994. Ross River virus infection in the South
West of Western Australia. Health Statistics Western Australia, 7:1-4.
Health Department of
Mackenzie,
J.S. and Smith, D.W. 1996. Mosquito-borne viruses and epidemic polyarthritis. Medical
Journal of
Selden,
S.M. and Cameron, A.S. 1996. Changing epidemiology of
Wolstenholme, J. 1993.
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