Chikungunya Fever - Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

Introduction

Have you ever experienced sudden, intense fever along with joint pain that makes even simple movements feel impossible? That could be chikungunya fever, a common illness spread by mosquitoes. It is most common in hot and humid zones and may affect people of all ages. While it is rarely life-threatening, the pain and fatigue it causes can be debilitating. Early awareness and preventive measures are important to minimize the risk of infection and limit its spread.

Chikungunya is presently causing an outbreak in various countries across the world. There may be a higher risk to travelers to places even with no current outbreaks. The virus has been seen in more than 100 nations, the majority of them being in tropical and subtropical countries. There have not been any locally identified chikungunya cases in the United States since 2019.

What Is Chikungunya Fever?

Chikungunya is caused by the bite of infected mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which tend to bite during the daytime. The infection is transmitted when an infected mosquito bites an individual. Chikungunya is not transmitted through casual contact or saliva, although blood transmission is possible in rare cases, as with malaria caused by Plasmodium and transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito. The name comes from the severe joint pain it induces, causing a person to be bent over.

What Causes Chikungunya Fever?

Wondering how a person can get Chikungunya fever? A person can get the chikungunya virus by biting infected female mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. They bite during the daytime, and Aedes aegypti bites both indoors and outdoors. It spreads only through mosquito bites, and not from one person to another through touch or bodily fluids. So, having chikungunya does not mean it will spread to others or even their family members. However, in very exceptional circumstances, it is possible to transmit the virus through contact with an infected person's blood.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Chikungunya Fever?

In the early stage, low-grade fever, malaise, loss of sensation of hunger, and vomiting may occur. Five to seven days later, the patient becomes deeply symptomatic. Joint pain also begins after the initial expression of the infection. It usually starts with pain and difficulty in movements in the early morning. With the onset of the day, pain subsides and is also relieved by some activities of the daily routine.

These are the symptoms observed in the first stage of Chikungunya fever:

• Chronic extremity joint pain, skin rashes, high-grade fever (40 degrees Celsius), and headache.

• Joint pain can be severe and may take a long time to recover. It involves primarily lower limb joints like ankles, knees, hip joints, and the upper limbs such as the elbow, shoulder joint, and wrist.

• Inflammatory symptoms are also present, along with joint pain. There is redness and swelling of the joint in the acute condition. This causes severe pain even on contact. The patient can suffer from difficulties in walking, standing up from a sitting posture, running, etc., and pain can also recur during winter or cold weather. During these phases, it is dull, aching, and throbbing in character.

• The patients also experience difficulty in writing, grasping objects, lifting any heavy object, driving a vehicle or car, and performing fine movements if the upper limb joint is involved. At times, the symptoms are similar to dengue fever. Therefore, the distinction between these two ailments should be investigated.

• Minor symptoms include nausea, vomiting, conjunctivitis, and photophobia (increased light sensitivity in the eyes). In some cases, loss of sensation of taste may also occur.

Risk Factors and Who Is Most Vulnerable

Some people are more likely to have severe symptoms or complications due to chikungunya:

• Newborn infants, particularly if infected at or near the time of birth.

• Older people, especially those 65 and older.

• People with severe diseases such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease.

• Pregnant females may be at risk of transmitting the virus to the infant, particularly in late pregnancy.

These populations can develop more severe illness, have longer convalescence, and have a greater risk of complications involving the joints, heart, eyes, or nervous system.

How Is Chikungunya Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of chikungunya is made using a combination of symptom history, travel history, and laboratory tests. The doctors first look for symptoms such as fever, joint pain, rash, and recent travel to countries where chikungunya is spread. Symptoms may resemble those of dengue or Zika, hence tests are required to diagnose the infection.

Some commonly recommended tests for chikungunya include:

• RT-PCR Test - Identifies the viral genetic material, particularly in the initial week of sickness.

• ELISA Test - Detects antibodies (IgM or IgG) that indicate the body's reaction to the virus.

• Virus Isolation - Less frequent, but requires cultivating the virus in a special laboratory.

What Is the Treatment for Chikungunya?

There is no specific medicine for chikungunya. Chikungunya treatment mainly focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting recovery.

• Get plenty of rest to help the body heal.

• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

• Use Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) to decrease fever and pain.

• Stop using Aspirin and other NSAIDs (like Ibuprofen).

• Most people recover within a week, but joint pain may last for months or even years in some cases.

• Once infected, most people develop immunity and are unlikely to get chikungunya again.

• During the first week of illness, the virus can be present in the blood and spread through mosquito bites.

• Prevent mosquito bites during this period to avoid passing the virus to others.

What Are the Prevention and Protection Tips for Chikungunya?

Individuals with a higher susceptibility to acquiring chikungunya can opt to get vaccinated. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended two vaccines:

• Ixchiq, created using a weakened strain of the chikungunya virus. It produces a light infection that an otherwise healthy immune system can handle. It is recommended for people who are 18 years and older. People 60 years of age and above may be at risk of various side effects. Protection is provided with one dose.

• Vimkunyz, is made from fragments of the chikungunya virus, so it will not cause infection. These fragments allow the immune system to get ready to battle the virus. Licensed for individuals 12 years and older. Protection is provided with one dose.

• The vaccine is available so far only for adults; hence, it is necessary to take measures to minimize contact with mosquitoes. These include the use of insect repellent sprays, creams, candles, or other machines that can repel mosquitoes. Always read the label and follow instructions to ensure it's safe and applied properly.

• Wear protective apparel to protect arms, legs, hands, and feet. You can also use clothing mosquito repellent sprays.

• Eliminate standing water as mosquitoes develop in stagnant water that accumulates in planters, discarded tires, buckets, birdbaths, or other containers that hold water.

• Employ mosquito nets, cover strollers, wagons, and tents.

• Prevent mosquitoes from entering the home; close doors and windows, or utilize correctly fitted screens.

• Avoid outbreak zones, particularly in late pregnancy, since newborns are highly susceptible to infection.

• Stay indoors whenever possible, particularly when mosquitoes are most active.

• If infected, avoid mosquito bites for the first week; mosquitoes can transmit the virus from an infected individual to other people.

Complications and Long-Term Effects

• After chikungunya, the problem most people face is joint pain that does not go away quickly. For some, it can last for months, and for others, it may linger for years.

• Newborns, older adults, and anyone with health issues such as high sugar, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease are likely to develop serious complications.

• Deaths from chikungunya are very rare, but in some cases, people have continued to have heart, eye, or nerve problems even after they’ve recovered from the main illness.

Conclusion

Chikungunya fever is a viral fever that is transmitted by the bite of Aedes mosquitoes that are infected. It starts with a sudden high fever and painful joint pain, usually making it hard to move. Other symptoms are aching muscles, headache, tiredness, and rashes on the skin. Though the disease is not commonly life-threatening, the joint pain sometimes persists for weeks or even months after the fever subsides. Chikungunya is mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions, and prevention mainly focuses on avoiding mosquito bites and getting vaccinated.

Key Takeaways

Chikungunya fever is a viral infection that is spread by mosquito bites, causing sudden high fever, sometimes rash, severe joint pain, headache, or tiredness. Most people recover within a week, but in some cases, joint pain can continue for several months or even years. There is no specific medicine to cure it, so care mainly involves rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking medicines to ease pain and fever. Preventing mosquito bites through repellents, protective clothing, and controlling breeding sites is the best way to avoid the disease. Get the vaccination done wherever it is available, and especially for newborns, pregnant women, older adults, and those with long-term health problems. The doctors at iCliniq provide you with personalized and compassionate guidance for managing and preventing the condition.