Patients let themselves be fooled by the doctor because he is “the first doctor to offer a vaccine”; so, obviously, people think he must be right. He must have something that other doctors do not have.

Indeed, he may just be taking advantage of naïve people who are ready to do anything to suffer less. “Cortisone is definitely effective in relieving pain but it also has side effects that can prove very dangerous. It can even prolong the infection of chikungunya in some cases,” explains a professional.

People suffering from hypertension, diabetes and heart problems are exposed to even more dangers if they are prescribed cortisone. But other people can have other problems – bone problems or hormonal deregulation for women – if the patient does not benefit from a strict follow-up after being prescribed the painkiller.

According to many doctors in both the public and private sectors, the issue of cortisone has not arisen with the appearance of chikungunya. Some say this painkiller is prescribed too often by doctors who do not make sure the patient is fit to take cortisone. More generally, there is a need for stricter control over the prescription of such drugs…