 |
Doc, what is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a viral disease that is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, specifically Aedes aegypti(same vector of Dengue virus). Affected patients have abrupt onset of fever and complains of severe joint pain. Asymptomatic incubation period usually last 2-4 days but may last for up to 12 days, then followed by symptoms that include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. The disease shares some clinical signs with dengue, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common like the Philippines.
"Chikungunya" in the Kimakonde language, means "to become contorted" and describes the slumped or stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain. Chikungunya virus was first isolated in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in 1953 and later on epidemics were reported in West and Central Africa, similar outbreaks were reported in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Chikungunya occurs in Africa, Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Human infections in Africa have been at relatively low levels for a number of years, but in 1999-2000 there was a large outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in 2007 there was an outbreak in Gabon.
There is no known cure for the disease and treatment is only supportive and focused on relieving the symptoms like giving Paracetamol for fever, Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for joint and muscle pain, Oral Rehydrating Salts (ORS) for dehydration.
The use of topical insect repellents is recommended but active substance concentration, surface of the skin to protect, number of daily applications and length of use should be taken into account. Infants less than two months old should not be given topical repellents.
Image from Vectorbase.org
Google Images
Posts
