Chikungunya fever

Main

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected Aedes mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe arthralgia, often in the hands and feet. The name "chikungunya" comes from a word in the Kimakonde language, meaning "to become contorted" – referring to the stooped appearance of sufferers due to the painful joints. While rarely fatal, the symptoms can be severe and disabling. Most patients recover fully, but in some cases, arthralgia may persist for several months, or even years. For example, a person infected with chikungunya may have trouble walking due to joint pain and stiffness.

There is no specific treatment or widely available vaccine for chikungunya. Prevention relies on protecting yourself from mosquito bites and controlling mosquito populations. If you're in an area with chikungunya, use insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and stay in places with window screens or air conditioning. If you're infected, avoid mosquito bites during the first week of illness when you're viremic to prevent spreading the virus to others.

Terms

• Aedes mosquitoes: The mosquito species that spread chikungunya virus, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. They typically bite during the day. Example: Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are well-adapted to urban environments.

• Arthralgia: Joint pain, a common symptom of chikungunya. It's usually severe and often incapacitating. Example: Many chikungunya patients require pain medication to manage their arthralgia.

• Asymptomatic: Showing no symptoms of disease despite being infected. Example: Some people infected with chikungunya virus may be asymptomatic.

• Viremia: The presence of viruses in the blood. Chikungunya patients are usually viremic for the first week of illness. Example: During viremia, an infected person can pass the virus to mosquitoes that bite them.

Analogy

Imagine a forest fire. In this analogy, the trees represent human cells, and the fire represents the chikungunya virus. Just as a single spark can start a forest fire that spreads from tree to tree, a single infected mosquito can spread the chikungunya virus from person to person. The virus 'burns' through the body, causing symptoms like fever and joint pain. And just as a forest fire can leave behind a scarred landscape, chikungunya can cause long-term joint pain even after the initial infection has cleared.

Misconception

Many people confuse chikungunya with dengue fever, as both diseases have similar symptoms and are transmitted by the same mosquitoes. However, chikungunya is caused by a different virus and often results in more severe and prolonged joint pain. For example, a person with chikungunya may be unable to work for several weeks due to the pain, whereas dengue fever usually resolves within a week or two.

History

1. 1952: First identified in Tanzania during an outbreak

2. 1960s-1980s: Small outbreaks in Africa and Asia

3. 2004-2005: Major outbreaks in Kenya, Comoros, and islands in the Indian Ocean

4. 2006-2007: Outbreak in India affecting over 1.5 million people

5. 2013-present: Spread to the Americas, with outbreaks in the Caribbean, Latin America, and parts of the United States. The virus is now endemic in many countries.

How to use it

1. If you suspect you have chikungunya, see a healthcare provider. They can diagnose the disease based on your symptoms and a blood test. Rest, stay hydrated, and use pain relievers and fever reducers as recommended by your doctor.

2. To prevent chikungunya, protect yourself from mosquito bites. Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in places with window screens or air conditioning. If you're traveling to an area with chikungunya, take extra precautions.

3. If you have chikungunya, avoid mosquito bites to prevent spreading the virus to others. Stay indoors or under a mosquito net during the first week of illness when you have the most virus in your blood.

Facts

• Chikungunya is endemic in over 100 countries.

• The name "chikungunya" means "that which bends up" in the Kimakonde language of Tanzania.

• Chikungunya is rarely fatal but can cause severe complications in older adults, babies, and people with chronic illnesses.

• There is no specific treatment or widely available vaccine for chikungunya.

• About 30% of people infected with chikungunya virus will not have any symptoms.