Chikungunya is a viral disease caused by the biting of mosquitoes and develops symptoms within 3 to 7 days with fever and joint pain. Mosquitoes responsible for the spread of this disease are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus...
Chikungunya is a viral disease caused by the biting of mosquitoes and develops symptoms within 3 to 7 days with fever and joint pain. Mosquitoes responsible for the spread of this disease are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito. There is no specific treatment for the disease but various disease management points can be adopted to ease the pain of joints and control the fever. It is also important to stop the spread by taking rest and avoiding being bitten by mosquitoes so that the disease can’t spread to other people. The name chikungunya means “bent over” due to joint pain which leads to a bending of the knees.
Chikungunya symptoms
Chikungunya is affecting a vast number of people around the world mostly in Africa and Asia. The most common symptom of this disease is joint pain and fever, which can occur within 3 to 7 days after mosquito bites. These symptoms in some cases can occur after the 2nd day or can be delayed up to 12 days.
There are various symptoms related to chikungunya infection and these symptoms include:
- Fever
- Joint Pain
- Headache
- Swelling in joints
- Rashes
- Fatigue after bite
- Nausea feeling
Chikungunya Treatment
There is no particular treatment or medication which is used to treat chikungunya. However various disease management measures can be adopted to avoid worsening the conditions and stop the spread. A patient suffering from this disease are advised to:
- Take a lot of fluids
- Take adequate rest
- Keep in touch with a doctor
- Take medication for headache
- Take anti-inflammatory drugs
- Use mosquito net while sleeping
- Avoid bitten by mosquito
- Take vaccines in advance
- Avoid traveling the places that have more probability of disease
After recovering from the disease, it is very uncommon to get the disease again because of the immunity developed by the person against the virus in the first encounter.
Chikungunya Rash
This rash is one of the symptoms of the chikungunya infection. Rash in general are red flat patches and in the case of chikungunya, rashes can be flat patches or red bumps on the skin. The symptom usually arises after the 3 or 4 days of mosquito bite but in some cases, it may be visible late or symptoms arise in a later stage. This can occur in the legs, arms, torso, limbs etc. or on any part of the body. This rash may fade away after a week or more than so depending on the condition of the patient and disease management. One of the most common signs of this rash, after it disappears, is the hyperpigmentation of the skin at the rash area. It can get darker and can form a spot on the skin.
Chikungunya Prevention
There is currently no medication that can treat the chikungunya condition but back in late 2023, a vaccine was introduced. This vaccine is approved by the FDA for person over the age of 18, so there is still no kind of vaccine for those aged below 18. A person going through the condition or having the chances of chikungunya should adopt some preventive measures and these include:
- Using mosquito repellents frequently: We have a lot of options regarding mosquito repellents in the market. We can choose the best to repel the mosquitoes and avoid any sort of bite.
- Wearing full clothes: Living in the area of Chikungunya increases the probability of infection so it is very important to wear full clothes. Wearing clothing that can cover your whole skin is one of the best options and cheap solutions to avoid infection. If possible try to cover your feet, hands and mouth also for complete protection before going out.
- Through away sitting water collected near you: Always keep a check on the surroundings and look for any water collection in the old discarded materials. These are the perfect places for mosquito breeding sites and lead to the population of infectious mosquitoes. Discard any collected items to avoid infection.
- Use mosquito nets: Always use mosquito nets while sleeping or use mosquito repellents in the room. Check for any mosquitoes in the room before going to sleep and keep a proper check for this.
- Avoid visiting areas having more chances of disease: Before going on any trip, look for the status of chikungunya disease and follow your plan accordingly. Keeping a check and avoiding these places can be the best possible way to avoid infection.
- Keep the windows and doors closed: Keep your doors and windows closed and avoid going out as possible to avoid any encounter with the infection and spread of the disease.
Chikungunya Recovery Time
The recovery time of the chikungunya disease depends and may vary from person to person. But common recovery time is around 1 to 2 weeks after the infection. Death with this disease is very uncommon but symptoms may persist for longer periods in some cases. There are 3 phases of recovery time for this disease:
- The acute phase can last for 1-2 weeks during which the symptoms fade away in the conditions.
- The recovery phase may last for 3-6 weeks as the joint pain lingers and in some cases, this phase will last for some months.
- Longer term recovery takes around 2 to 3 months when the joint stiffness persists and a person needs physiotherapy for mobility and to ease the condition of joint stiffness.
Chikungunya Test
Chikungunya can be tested through simple blood tests used to look for antibodies generated during the encounter. The other tests used for the detection of chikungunya include:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
- Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
- Rapid kit tests
Complications of Chikungunya
The most common complication of the infection is joint pain, which makes it difficult for the person to move. This also makes it very difficult to sit or stand and this complication is around all age groups. The other complication in the disease is that persons above the age of 65 or newborn have more risk of complications of
- Increase probability of Diabetes
- High blood pressure conditions
- Heart disease conditions
Conclusion
Chikungunya is one of the common diseases related to mosquitoes. This is a major issue in African and Asian countries as the carrier is mosquitoes so the infection rate is usually high. There is no specific medication available for the treatment of the disease. However various preventive measures and management measures can help to avoid and limit the spread of the disease. Recently vaccines have been made available for the person above the age of 18 to prevent infection. But still, the best way is to manage the disease and stop the spread by following management measures. The disease is not deadly but symptoms like headache, joint pain and rashes are severe and make life difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which mosquitoes cause Chikungunya?
Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes cause chikungunya.
What are the symptoms of Chikungunya?
There are various symptoms like headache, joint pain, nausea, vomiting etc.
What are the treatment options for chikungunya?
There is no specific treatment for the disease; only management of the disease can control and ease the symptoms
What is chikungunya rash?
Chikungunya rash is the red flat patches or red flat bumps on the skin.
What is the most common symptom of chikungunya?
The most common symptom of chikungunya is headache and joint pain.
What are management measures to prevent chikungunya?
Various preventive measures for chikungunya include avoiding visiting diseased areas, getting the vaccine, using mosquito repellents, and nets, discarding sitting water etc.
Which tests are used to check chikungunya?
There are various tests used to check chikungunya like blood tests, PCR, ELISA etc.
What is chikungunya recovery time?
Chikungunya's recovery time is around 1 to 2 weeks in most cases.
Are vaccines available for chikungunya?
Yes, vaccines are available for chikungunya.
Can any medicine treat chikungunya?
No medication can treat chikungunya yet.
Where to find the Chikungunya test center in Delhi?
You can write about the Chikungunya test center in Delhi in Google search.
Which test center is near me to detect chikungunya?
You can type the nearest Chikungunya center in Google search for the nearest test center.
