Chikungunya

Overview of Chikungunya

Chikungunya Meaning in Urdu

یہ ایک وائرل بیماری ہے جو کہ مچھر کے کاٹنے کی وجہ سے لاحق ہوتی ہے۔ اس بیماری کی عام علامات میں بخار اور جوڑوں کا درد بھی شامل ہے۔ جب کہ دوسری علامات میں سر درد، پٹھوں کا درد، جوڑوں کی سوزش، اور جِلد کے مسائل شامل ہیں۔ یہ بیماری ایک بڑے پیمانے پر دنیا کے مختلف ممالک کو متاثر کر چکی ہے۔ یہ ایک متعدی بیماری ہے جو کہ ایک شخص سے دوسرے شخص میں منتقل ہو سکتی ہے۔ اس بیماری سے بچاؤ کے لیے ایسے کپڑے استعمال کرنے کا مشورہ دیا جاتا ہے جو کہ تمام جسم کو ڈھانپ سکیں۔

Chikungunya is a viral disease that develops due to a specific species of mosquitoes. It is a viral infection that is spread by the infected mosquito bite. Chikungunya comes from the Kimaknde language meaning “to become contorted”.
It was first identified in 1952, during an outbreak in Tanzania. This fever has affected up to 1 million individuals in the American continent, the most cases being recorded in the Caribbean islands, Latin America, and the USA.
Chikungunya can present itself in the form of a fever or a rash.

Prevalence of Chikungunya

It most commonly occurs in the Asian and Indian subcontinent. In Pakistan, this virus presented itself after 30 years in 2017. The cases in Karachi reached up to 30,000 in that year.

Signs and Symptoms of Chikungunya

Signs and symptoms of chikungunya include:

  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Sudden-onset fever
  • Rash
  • Joint swelling

Symptoms of this fever present within 3 to 7 days after being bitten and usually improve within a week but joint pain can sometimes last for a longer duration including months or even years.
The symptoms resemble that of dengue and Zika which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Types of Chikungunya

Causes of Chikungunya

The exact cause of chikungunya is the chikungunya virus transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These mosquito bites take place during the day.

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Risk Factors of Chikungunya

Given below are the complications of chikungunya:

  • Uveitis
  • Nephritis
  • Hepatitis
  • Myocarditis
  • Myelitis
  • Guillain-Barre syndrome
  • Cranial nerve palsies
  • Meningoencephalitis
  • Retinitis

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Prevention

Some of the common preventive measures for chikungunya:

  • Wear full sleeve clothes
  • Make sure to use mosquito repellent
  • Take precautionary measures to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoor
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Diagnosis

The diagnostic tests include:

  • Serological tests
  • Virological tests
  • IgM antibody levels
  • Blood tests

Treatment of Chikungunya | When to Consult a Doctor

There is no vaccine or specific treatment developed for chikungunya. Treatment is directed to relieve the symptoms of pain and fever. Aspirin and NSAIDs are never to be taken without a proper diagnosis or consultation
Chikungunya has similar symptoms to dengue. So, if any of the symptoms are seen and persist, you need to consult an infectious disease specialist. No medication or home remedy prior to that should be done.