Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease first recognised by the WHO in 1952 when its outbreak happened in Southern Tanzania. It is transmitted by the same mosquito responsible for dengue fever. What started in a small African country has now spread to over 110 countries worldwide. This article will tell you everything about chikungunya symptoms, its causes, and how the treatment happens.
What is Chikungunya Fever?
Chikungunya is a virus infection that can cause fever and joint pain. A mosquito bite causes it, and most people develop chikungunya symptoms three to seven days after being bitten. Although this disease is non-contagious (does not spread from person to person), chikungunya is only contagious when the virus gets transferred through blood transfusion from the infected to a healthy person.
What are the Symptoms of Chikungunya?
People infected may not experience symptoms for 2-12 days after getting bitten. Moreover, the symptoms are very similar to dengue fever. Hence, it gets confused with dengue until the diagnosis happens. Listed below are the common chikungunya symptoms:
- High fever (as high as 104 F)
- Swelling
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Red eyes
- Vomiting
Approximately 40% – 50% of people may also experience chikungunya rash. These red rashes, which have little bumps on top of them, develop three to five days after the fever begins and go away in three to four days. This chikungunya rash is called maculopapular rash, similar to heat rash or measles.
Diagnosis of Chikungunya
Chikungunya diagnosis happens with the help of a blood serum test. This chikungunya test is done to stop local transmission as it detects IgM and IgG antibodies for this disease in your blood. The body’s immune system prepares these antibodies to fight off the infection. If the chikungunya test indicates its presence, it means the person is suffering or has recently suffered from this disease.
Chikungunya Treatment
You must discuss your health with a doctor if you suffer from chikungunya symptoms. There is no specific chikungunya treatment, and doctors can advise you to rest, take more fluids, and take painkillers (acetaminophen) to relieve the symptoms. In most cases, the patients are treated just like dengue patients until doctors rule out the possibility of dengue. Although chikungunya recovery time depends on the patient’s symptoms, most people feel better within one week. After chikungunya joint pain treatment, doctors may advise infected people to take arthritis-related medicines for relief.
Chikungunya Prevention
Since there is no exact treatment for chikungunya, one should try and prevent themselves from this illness. The FDA approved the first chikungunya vaccine in November 2023 to prevent the disease.
The best chikungunya prevention is to stay away from places where there are a lot of mosquitoes. Mosquito bites can lead to chikungunya fever. Here are some tips to stay safe:
- Apply insect repellent
- Wear pants and full-sleeve shirts
- Stay indoors with windows closed during the outbreak months
Tips for Quick Chikungunya Recovery
Chikungunya fever should not be taken lightly and must handpick those options that can speed up the recovery. Chikungunya symptoms are known to have many long-term implications. Therefore, people must focus on their diet to recover quickly. The most common chikungunya complications are bone and muscle pain that can last for as long as a year after the fever subsides. The reason is that people do not pay close attention to what they eat during chikungunya fever. Therefore, even if you don’t feel like it, you must include the below food for a quick recovery:
- Coconut water
- Green leafy vegetables
- Soups
- Papaya leaf extract
- Herbs
- Vitamin C-rich foods
- Giloy juice
- Barley
- Fruits
- Porridge
Conclusion
Chikungunya is not fatal but should not be left untreated. If you have chikungunya symptoms, consult your doctor immediately to discuss further steps. The most common problem people face is prolonged joint pains that may happen because of not taking care of themselves and not eating a balanced diet. Keep this article handy for understanding chikungunya symptoms and treatment and how to prevent yourself from this painful disease.
