Download CHIKUNGUNYA

From: your doctor’s pen
There are many doubts about chikungunya, it is
worthwhile giving detailed information on this disease
which is as follows:
CHIKUNGUNYA
Chikungunya is a relatively rare viral fever that is caused by the bite of infected
mosquitoes. Outbreaks have taken place in many tropical countries. Recently it
has resurfaced in many parts of India including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra
Pradesh. Since, there is a lot of interstate movementl, no area is free from
Sporadic of Chikungunya.
It causes high fever with sometimes joint pain and rashes on the body.
Chikungunya – History
The name of this disease ‘Chikungunya’ is derived from the Makonde word that
means – “that which bends up” and is in reference to the stooped posture that
develops due to arthritic symptoms of the disease. The first outbreak of this
disease was seen in the year 1952 in Africa along the border between Tanzania
& Mozambique. In India it was seen in Calcutta, in the year 1963
Chikungunya Causes
Chikungunya Virus, also known as Buggy Creek Virus, is transmitted by Aedes
aegypti mosquito bites.
The mosquitoes that cause infection due to the Chikungunya virus in Africa and
Asia are the same mosquitoes that cause yellow fever and dengue fever in many
parts of the world.
Chikungunya – Symptoms
The incubation period is usually 1 – 12 days. This means the disease manifests 1
to 12 days after the bite of the mosquito. The symptoms and signs include the
following
 Fever ( > 40 C, 104 F)
 Headache
 Joint Pain (or arthralgia)
 Arthritis affecting multiple joints that can be debilitating.
 Swelling of joints
 Rash ( May occur rarely)
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Sometime there may be infection of the conjunctiva of the eye and some
photophobia.
Chills
Nausea
Vomiting
Bleeding or hemorrhage (May occur rarely)
Chikungunya – Diagnosis
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Some typical clinical symptoms
Routine blood count to look at platelets as sometimes the platelet count
may fall.
Blood Serology For detection of antigens or antibiotics.
ELISA to help distinguish the disease from dengue fever.
Chikungunya – Treatment
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Supportive care and rest
There has been no effective vaccine developed to prevent Chikungunya.
To relieve symptoms of fever and joint pain the drug commonly used is
paracetamol.
 Rest is indicated during acute joint symptoms. Movement and mild
exercise may improve stiffness and morning joint pains.
 In unresolved arthritis that does not respond to aspirin and non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, Chloroquine Phosphate (250 mg/day) has given
some promising results.
The best treatment for Chikungunya is drinking 6 – 8 glasses of distilled
water each day with a pinch of sea salt. This will hydrate and mineralize the
body giving it the best ability to flush toxins and relieve body aches. Also
take mega doses of Vitamin C.
Aspirin should be avoided.
Chikungunya – Prevention
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Elimination of stagnant water at home, schools and work place to avoid
breeding of mosquitoes.
Using insect repellents over the exposed parts of the body.
Using mosquito screens or nets in non – Air – conditioned rooms.
Wearing the long sleeved clothes like long trousers of a light shade for
protection against mosquitoes.
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Avoid close dealings with the already infected person. Body fluids such as
cough droplets may infect others
Chikungunya Prognosis
Most patients recover fully from Chikungunya virus infection. They get better after
a few days, however sometimes joint pain can persist for a longer period after the
other symptoms have disappeared.
Some deaths have been reported in a few countries but this may have been due
to the inappropriate use of antibiotics and anti inflammatory drugs. As this virus
can cause decreased platelets and result in bleeding one has to be careful that
the drugs that are used do not further drop the platelets or cause bleeding due to
gastric inflammation and erosions or ulcers (e.g. effect of Aspirin)