Chikungunya Fever (Chikungunya Virus Infection)

Chikungunya Fever, also known as mosquito-borne joint pain disease, is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.It can affect people of all ages, including young children. The symptoms are similar to dengue fever, but generally less severe. Chikungunya is usually not life-threatening, and severe complications such as shock are rare.However, some patients may experience chronic joint pain that can persist for an extended period after the initial infection.

 

Warning Signs of Chikungunya Fever

 - Sudden high fever

 - Red rash on the body, sometimes accompanied by itching

 - Joint or bone pain, especially in the fingers, elbows, and knees

 - Headache

 - Eye pain or red eyes

 - Fatigue, and in some cases, diarrhea

 

Transmission of Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya is caused by the chikungunya virus, which belongs to the Togaviridae family. The disease is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, primarily

 - Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito)

 - Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito)

These mosquitoes are commonly found in both urban and rural areas, especially during the rainy season or in places with standing water, where they breed.Transmission occurs when a mosquito infected with the chikungunya virus bites a human, passing the virus into the bloodstream. The infected person may then develop symptoms of the disease.

 

Treatment of Chikungunya Fever

There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Management focuses on symptom relief, including:

 - Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration

 - Getting adequate rest

 - Using tepid sponging to help reduce fever

 - Taking medications to relieve fever and pain, such as:

       - Paracetamol (acetaminophen)

       - Ibuprofen

       - Naproxen

Important: Patients should avoid aspirin, as it may increase the risk of bleeding.

 

Prevention of Chikungunya Fever

The most important way to prevent chikungunya is to avoid mosquito bites, especially from Aedes mosquitoes. This can be done by:

 - Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants

 - Using insect repellents or mosquito coils to help reduce mosquitoes indoors

 - Staying in rooms with window screens or air conditioning

 - Ensuring that infants, patients, and the elderly sleep under mosquito nets or in protected rooms, especially during the day

 - Eliminating mosquito breeding sites, such as standing water in containers, natural puddles, or around the home

These measures can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

 

 

source : Muangloei Ram Hospital

Muangloei Ram Hospital

**Translated and compiled by ArokaGO Content Team