Chikungunya Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Causes and Transmission

Before learning about how to treat the ailment, you must know the causes of Chikungunya and how it is transmitted.

• Causes

Mosquito bites is the only cause of Chikungunya. The species of mosquitoes that carry this disease i.e. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus were earlier only found in a few countries like Asia, Africa, and the Americas. However, today, these species are found in almost 110 countries.

• Transmission

The transmission of the Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) is caused by the female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species of mosquitoes. These species are also the carriers of more severe ailments like dengue and Zika viruses. Hence, you must undergo diagnostic tests to rule out these ailments when you get bitten by a mosquito and develop fever within a week.

Usually, CHIKV is transmitted during the daylight, as this is the time when these mosquitoes are quite active. These mosquitoes predominantly feed outdoors. Individuals infected with CHIKV can transmit the disease to mosquitoes when they are bitten. These mosquitoes then ingest the virus and can transmit the same to new people upon biting them.

A person with the Chikungunya virus cannot transmit it to another person through touch or saliva. In some rare cases, though, the virus can spread from one person to another through blood transfusion.

Symptoms

Fever and joint pain are the main Chikungunya symptoms. However, some other symptoms of this virus are:

• Headache

• Pain in the muscles

• Rashes

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Swelling in the joints

Note – When you start experiencing these symptoms accompanied by high fever and debilitating joint pain within 2 to 12 days after getting bitten by a mosquito, you must consult a doctor immediately. Most people recover from Chikungunya symptoms within a week. However, some people may experience joint pain even months or years after recovery.

Diagnosis

Most of these Chikungunya symptoms are almost similar to the ones you may experience when infected with dengue fever or Zika virus. The mortality rate of these ailments is relatively high.

The only way Chikungunya virus can be diagnosed is through a blood test. Your doctor will ask you to undergo a blood test to rule out dengue and Zika virus infections. Only then will you be diagnosed with Chikungunya.

The RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) is the type of blood test conducted to test your blood sample for the presence of Chikungunya virus disease.

Treatment

Currently, no pill or vaccine can cure Chikungunya. “Managing” is a better word than “treating” in this case.

Your doctor will advise you of the following for Chikungunya treatment:

• Take as much rest as possible.

• Hydrate yourself very well by drinking lots of fluids throughout the day.

• Take fever and pain relief pills. Always consult your doctor before taking any medicines, and refrain from consuming non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without the approval of your physician.

How to prevent Chikungunya?

Although CHIKV is not a life-threatening ailment, it can be of great help if you know how to control the transmission of this disease. Some prevention tips you can follow are:

• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites and prevent stagnation of water.

• Keep your surroundings clean and healthy.

• Use insect repellents to control the breeding of mosquitoes.

• If your area is prone to mosquitoes, always wear full-sleeved shirts and trousers when you go outdoors during the daylight hours. You can also spray safe mosquito repellents on your clothes.

• Use mosquito nets wherever possible, and keep your doors and windows closed.

• If you have plans to travel to a country where there is a prevalence of the Chikungunya outbreak, postpone your travel plans right away.

• Try not to go out if it is not really necessary.

When Do I See a Doctor for Chikungunya?

You should visit the doctor immediately when you experience symptoms like fever, fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and nausea within 2 to 12 days of getting bitten by a mosquito. These symptoms are almost similar to mosquito-borne ailments like dengue and Zika virus.

You should undergo blood tests to rule out these ailments so that your doctor can confirm your condition as Chikungunya. Since the risks and mortality rate are quite low for this condition, you can recover easily at home by taking adequate rest, keeping yourself well-hydrated, and taking medications, if needed, to reduce your fever.