Chikungunya | Chikungunya fever | Viral disease

 


Chikungunya is a fever which is an illness that can be caused by a virus and it can spread by mosquitoes. The name Chikungunya means it bends your joints or it makes you stop walking because this viral infection causes severe joint pain and muscle aches. Other symptoms of this viral fever include high fever, headache, fatigue, rash, nausea and red eyes.  Usually symptoms show up within 2 to 7 days after a mosquito bite from an infected mosquitoes.


Till now there is no vaccine for Chikungunya fever. And there is no treatment for this viral fever. But in some rare cases, chikungunya causes very serious health complications or death. Most people with this viral chikungunya fever can recover within a couple of weeks. But some others may experience joint and muscle pain that can last almost months to years after they have been affected with this chikungunya fever.


The only aim of treatment for this viral infection is to ease the symptoms with the help of rest, fluids and medications like acetaminophen Tylenol, etc.  You do not take aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium - Aleve until the infections with its symptoms like those of chikungunya fever will be ruled out.For joint pain and muscle aches, medications that help to relieve rheumatoid arthritis.


Symptoms


Typically, the virus causes a fever that usually lasts some days and joint pain which lasts about weeks to months.


But the symptoms of this viral fever are the same as those of other illnesses like dengue fever. Generally, the symptoms will appear within a few days of mosquito bite. Common symptoms are:


  • fever (sometimes as high as 104 °F)

  • joint pain

  • headache

  • muscle pain

  • rash

  • swelling around the joints


In some cases, it is very less common that it can be associated with maculopapular rash which is similar to measles or heat rash, conjunctivitis, nausea, and vomiting.


Causes and Risk Factors of Chikungunya


Chikungunya is a viral infection or disease that can transmit to humans through infected mosquitoes. Generally, this viral fever is caused by the chikungunya virus called CHIKV.


Usually, the infected person can’t directly transmit the virus to another person. The disease is spread when a mosquito gets fed on a person with the infected virus that is present in the blood. Usually, mosquitoes can pick up the virus then it spreads to others through its bite.



Till now, no infants have been found that have been infected with chikungunya virus by breastfeeding.


Generally, Chikungunya virus is spread to people by particular mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These types of mosquitoes are the similar mosquitoes that transmit dengue virus.


A. albopictus mosquitoes are widely distributed and have the ability to live in temperate climates. Unlikely A. aegypti mosquitoes can live predominantly in tropical and subtropical areas.


Diagnosis


To diagnose chikungunya, only a blood test can help you to confirm because the symptoms are not easy to rule out from other health issues.


It is very important to rule out deadleous fever as quickly as possible because it has the highest mortality rate that can be up to 50% if untreated compared with 0.1% for chikungunya fever.


If any one with the above symptoms has recently visited the places where these diseases are common, they should consult a provider as soon as possible.


Treatment


Generally, this virus is rare in some cases that can be fatal, but the symptoms can be more severe and disabling. Most people with fever can recover within a week but the joint pain will be present for several months. Even after a year of chikungunya fever, 20% of people will report recurring joint pain.


There are no particular medications to treat chikungunya fever. Your provider simply suggests rest and a lot of fluids.


Some counter medication will help to relieve fever and joint pain. Such as:

  • naproxen

  • ibuprofen

  • acetaminophen

For long-term joint and muscle pain, physiotherapy will be helpful.


Complications of chikungunya

Complications are:


  • Uveitis happens by the layer in the eye between the inner retina and the outer fibrous layer inflamed.

  • inflammation of the Retinitis which means inflammation of the retina.

  • Myocarditis is the heart muscles inflammation.

  • Hepatitis which means inflammation of the liver.

  • Nephritis which means inflammation of the kidneys.

  • Hemorrhage which means bleeding.

  • Meningoencephalitis which means inflammation of the brain and adjoining cerebral tissue membranes.

  • Myelitis which means spinal cord inflammation.

  • Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare peripheral nervous system disease that has muscle weakness.

  • Cranial nerve palsies which means absence of function in the cranial nerves.


Prevention


The best methods of prevention involve reducing contact with mosquitos. Some preventive steps to prevent chikungunya include:


  • Use insect repellent that contains DEET or picaridin on your skin and clothes.

  • Wear clothes that completely cover your body.

  • You must stay indoors as much as possible, particularly during early morning and late afternoon.

  • You should avoid travelling to places where experiencing outbreaks

  • You can use products like oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD that can be very effective.

  • And also use air-conditioners so the we control mosquitoes from entering rooms

  • You must sleep under a mosquito net.

  • And you can also use mosquito coils and insecticide vaporizers

  • Avoiding mosquitos is a key method to prevent this viral chikungunya fever.


Frequently Asked Questions


Q1. What are 3 symptoms of Chikungunya fever?

Ans: The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain. 


Q2. How serious is chikungunya?

Ans: Death from chikungunya is rare. But the virus can cause severe problems in some people.


Q3. What is the duration of chikungunya?

Ans: Acute symptoms typically resolve within 7–10 days. 


Q4. Can chikungunya go away on its own?

Ans: Symptoms usually go away on their own after about a week. Treating your symptoms may help you feel better. Take medicine to reduce the pain and fever.


Q5. How does chikungunya spread?

Ans: Chikungunya virus is primarily transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

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