Chikungunya Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment

Symptoms • Most people infected with chikungunya virus will develop some symptoms. • Symptoms usually begin 3–7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. • The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain. • Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. • Chikungunya disease does not often result in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling. • Most patients feel better within a week. In some people, the joint pain may persist for months. • People at risk for more severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults (≥65 years), and people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. • Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections. Diagnosis • The symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of dengue and Zika, diseases spread by the same mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya. • See your healthcare provider if you develop the symptoms described above and have visited an area where chikungunya is found. • If you have recently traveled, tell your healthcare provider when and where you traveled. • Your healthcare provider may order blood tests to look for chikungunya or other similar viruses like dengue and Zika. Treatment • There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus. • Treat the symptoms: o Get plenty of rest. o Drink fluids to prevent dehydration. o Take medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or paracetamol to reduce fever and pain. o Do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of bleeding). o If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider before taking additional medication. • If you have chikungunya, prevent mosquito bites for the first week of your illness. o During the first week of infection, chikungunya virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to a mosquito through mosquito bites. o An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people

Posted by - Dr. Veena Aggarwal @ eMediNexus