Fever has many causes, viral being one of them. Viral fever is prevalent during the change of seasons. Different viruses like the influenza virus, flavivirus, etc., can cause febrile illnesses. The viral infection can be acquired either through direct contact with the patient (droplet infection) or by a vector, as in the case of dengue and chikungunya, where one develops the disease by a mosquito bite.
What Is Chikungunya Fever?
Chikungunya is caused by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It usually bites during the daytime, while malaria, a Plasmodium disease, occurs through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito.
What Is the Distribution of Chikungunya Fever?
The Caribbean islands of America registered the first case of Chikungunya fever in 2013. Later, it then spread to different parts of the world. Since its first outbreak, countries of Europe, Africa, Asia, the Pacific ocean, and the Indian ocean have experienced sporadic attacks now and then. The risk of transmission of the virus increases with infected travelers moving from one country to another.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Chikungunya Fever?
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After the bite of an infected mosquito, it takes around three to seven days for the individual to exhibit the symptoms.
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Chikungunya is characterized by high fever, severe joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. The most remarkable feature is joint pain which is sometimes so intense that it renders the patient unable to walk.
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In a few patients, rashes are also associated with chikungunya fever.
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Fever usually subsides in five to seven days; however, it may take even up to 14 days in a few patients. Joint pain may persist for up to four weeks.
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Although chikungunya fever does cause severe disabling symptoms, death is not common with it. Therefore, the mortality rates are meager with chikungunya fever.
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Also, not all patients experience severe symptoms. Only the below individuals have an increased risk of developing a severe form of the disease:
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Newborns.
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Older adults above the age of 65 years.
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Individuals with underlying chronic medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac diseases.
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How Is Chikungunya Fever Transmitted?
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Transmission Through Mosquitoes:
The most common transmission route of chikungunya fever occurs through the bite of mosquitoes. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting chikungunya fever, which can bite both during the day and night. When a mosquito bites an infected individual, the virus is transmitted to the mosquito. Eventually, the mosquito becomes infected, and when this infected mosquito bites another healthy individual, transmission occurs.
2. Transmission From Mother to Child:
There have been rare cases of mother-to-child transmission that occur during gestation. However, there is no evidence to support the transmission of the virus through breastfeeding.
3. Transmission Through Blood:
Although theoretically, there has been supportive evidence regarding the spread of the chikungunya virus through blood transmission, there is no clinical evidence for the same.
How Is Chikungunya Fever Diagnosed?
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Serology tests and virology tests are the available diagnostic tests.
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A serology test taken to diagnose chikungunya fever is an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The presence of IgM and IgG antibodies for the chikungunya virus is an essential characteristic feature that helps diagnose. In the case of the ELISA test, the IgM antibodies will be present in large numbers between the third and fifth weeks. However, it can last for a couple of months.
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Virological test methods like reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) also aid in diagnosis. This method diagnoses the infection during the first week of acquiring chikungunya fever.
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In addition, the patients' travel history helps with the diagnosis of chikungunya fever.
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Diagnosing chikungunya fever with the help of symptoms alone is challenging because the symptoms exhibited are similar to that of Dengue fever and Zika infection.
What Is the Treatment for Chikungunya Fever?
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Treatment is symptomatic with Paracetamol and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). NSAIDs should be given only after confirming an average platelet count. This is because both chikungunya fever and dengue have similar symptoms. Taking medications like Aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can increase the risk of bleeding in patients with dengue fever. Therefore, these drugs should be prescribed only after dengue fever has been ruled out.
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Lots of fluids should be taken by the patient for a quick recovery. In patients who are HLA-B27 positive, the symptoms might persist for a more extended period.
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Is there any vaccination available against chikungunya fever?
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As of now, there is no available vaccine to prevent the occurrence of chikungunya fever. Several vaccines have been developed but are still under clinical trials, and it might take years for them to be available to the general public.
How Can We Prevent Chikungunya Fever?
With no available vaccines, preventing the bite of mosquitoes is the sole method available for the prevention of chikungunya fever. The following methods can prevent the bite of mosquitoes:
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Wear long-sleeved shirts and full pants to cover your arms and legs. Do not leave any area exposed for the mosquitoes to bite.
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Wear clothes that have been treated with 0.5% Permethrin. It should not be directly used over the skin.
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Use insect repellents with an environmental-protection agency (EPS) registered insect repellents.
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The following are the list of insect repellents that the EPA has approved:
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Oil of lemon eucalyptus.
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DEET.
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2-undecanone.
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Picaridin.
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IR3535.
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Para-menthane-diol.
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Para-menthane-diol and oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) should not be used in children below three years.
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Insect repellents should be sprayed onto the surface of irritated skin, hands, wounds, eyes, or mouth. It should only be applied to the child's face by spraying it to your hands.
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Protect your babies by using mosquito nets for strollers and baby carriers.
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Do not allow water to stagnate in areas near your residency to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.
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Use mosquito nets in the doors and windows.
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Use air-conditioners.
What Can I Do to Prevent the Spread of Chikungunya Fever?
If you have been diagnosed with chikungunya fever, do not allow mosquitoes to bite you, especially around the first week. The chikungunya virus will be available in the blood during the first week, and when a mosquito bites you, it can become infected. This infected mosquito can transmit the virus to another healthy individual and continue the transmission chain.
Conclusion:
Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted through mosquitoes. Despite no vaccination, the spread of the disease can be significantly controlled by preventing mosquito bites. When experiencing symptoms, reach out to a healthcare provider and get the best possible treatment. Also, avoid the bite of mosquitoes to prevent the spread.