Chikungunya Fever was once known as the disease of the tropics, but now it has been spread all across the globe. Chikungunya is a viral disease that arose in Africa in 1952, but the first case of Chikungunya was finally reported to the WHO from Karachi in December of 2016. Since then, approximately 1000 cases of people infected with the virus have been reported.
Even though district and city authorities have made preventative efforts to tackle the disease’s spread, poor sanitary systems combined with warm weather make it difficult to control the situation entirely.
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Chikungunya Fever:
Chikungunya Fever is an infection spread by the bite of two species of Aedes mosquito. Chikungunya fever usually lasts several days to a week and comes in two stages, which can also be biphasic.
A person suffering from Chikungunya cannot directly transmit it to the other healthy person. The disease will spread when a mosquito feeds on an infected person and spreads it to a healthy person through its bite.
Signs and symptoms of chikungunya fever:
When an infected mosquito bites, the sickness usually begins in 4-8 days, but it can take 2-12 days, depending on the person’s immune system.
Sudden onset of fever followed by joint pain can be the initial symptoms of Chikungunya. Muscle discomfort, joint swelling, headache, nausea, exhaustion, and rash are other prevalent signs and symptoms. However, joint pain can be pretty debilitating; it usually lasts a few days, but it can last for weeks, months, or even years. As a result, the virus has the potential to cause acute, subacute, or chronic illness.
The symptoms in an infected person are often mild, and the infection can go unrecognized. Occasional cases of neurological and heart complications are also reported in chikungunya viral infection. People with other medical conditions (usually older adults) can develop severe illnesses, and Chikungunya can cause their death.
Chikungunya can easily be misunderstood with dengue fever. However, unlike dengue fever, Chikungunya rarely becomes life-threatening.
Most patients recover completely from this infection, but joint pain can remain for several months or years in some cases. Once the patient is fully recovered, they are immune from further infections.
Chikungunya Vs Dengue Fever:
Chikungunya and Dengue are pretty different diseases, but there are some similarities in both diseases. The following are a few similarities and differences between chikungunya fever and dengue fever:
- Dengue and Chikungunya are caused by different viruses, even though the same mosquito transmits them. Dengue is caused by a Flavirideae flavivirus, whereas A Togaviridae alphavirus causes Chikungunya.
- The incubation period of Chikungunya is 1-12 days, but the duration can carry from 1-2 weeks. However, signs like joint pain may remain for a more extended period. The incubation period for Dengue is quite long as compared to Chikungunya. It is 3-7 weeks long, and fever can last from 4 to 7 weeks.
- Swelling of muscles and joint pain is high in Chikungunya as compared to Dengue.
- Chikungunya can cause severe joint pain, while Dengue, on the other hand, can cause breathing problems and bleed in some cases.
- In Chikungunya, rashes can be found all across the body ( Limbs, feet, palms, and back) whereas, rashes are limited to limbs and face in Dengue.
- Chronic arthritis and neurological issues are possible happen in Chikungunya. While in severe cases of Dengue, Respiratory problems, organ failure, and shock can happen. Arthritis is less likely to occur in Dengue.
These diseases can be fatal and cause severe complications if left untreated. The only key to avoid these diseases is prevention. But if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above or face complications after being bitten by a mosquito, I suggest you visit the best Doctors in Karachi.
Prognosis of Chikungunya Fever:
The mortality rate is very low in Chikungunya fever ( usually 1 in 1000). People in their 70s, newborns, and those already suffering from a chronic condition are most likely to develop severe symptoms. The possibility of prolonged symptoms or chronic joint pain increases with age and prior rheumatological diseases.
Prevention from Chikungunya Fever:
There is no vaccine for Chikungunya is available. You can only avoid fever by preventing yourself from a mosquito bite.
Here are some tips to prevent yourself from mosquito bites:
- When visiting high-risk areas, always wear long clothes to minimize skin exposure.
- Use insect repellents on the skin, even at home.
- Make sure to keep mosquitos out of your home.
- If you sleep in the daytime, use insecticide-treated nets around your bed.
- Avoid traveling to areas that are experiencing a Chikungunya outbreak.
- Use mosquito coils during the day.
- Reducing the Number of places for mosquito breeding can decrease the population significantly.
If you are already suffering from Chikungunya, You should take strict care of yourself and prevent mosquito bites. As mentioned earlier, this virus can spread from person to person through mosquito bites. According to studies, Drain and Cover rule is the best preventive measure for a mosquito bite.
Treatments for Chikungunya Fever:
There is no specific treatment or antiviral drugs for Chikungunya. The treatments usually aim to relieve the symptoms, including antipyretics, optimal analgesics, drinking plenty of water, etc.
Medicines such as Paracetamol or ibuprofen, or naproxen are available for pain relief and reducing fever. In areas where both viruses are circulating, Chikungunya patients should avoid aspirin until their dengue report test is negative. Because in Dengue, Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding
There is no commercial vaccine available for Chikungunya. While there are still several vaccine strategies are being tested, and some are even in their clinical trials, They are still many years away from being available to the public.
FAQs
What are the most common symptoms of Chikungunya fever?
The most common symptoms of chikungunya fever include fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, and rashes.
Is Chikungunya and dengue are same?
No, Chikungunya and Dengue are two different diseases spread by the same type of mosquitos.
How long does chikungunya fever last?
Chikungunya fever can last from 3 to 10 days, depending on the person’s recovery process. However, joint pain can last from several months to several years for some people.
Which medicine is best for Chikungunya?
There is no specific medication available for Chikungunya; however, ibuprofen, naproxen, and Paracetamol are thought to be effective in fever.
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