3. Chikungunya fever
A dengue-like disease caused by a group A virus, the
chikungunya virus and transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
It is manifested by high fever and severe articular pains
in the limbs and spinal column
4. INCIDENCE
First identified during an epidemic in Tanzania in 1952-53.
Chikungunya is a local word meaning "doubling up" owing
to excruciating joint pains.
The virus occurs widely in sub-Saharan Africa, India and in
many areas in Asia.
5.
6. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
• Adenopathy is also common. 60 to 80 per cent patients have a
morbilliform rash, occasionally with purpura, on the trunk
and limbs. The cutaneous eruption may recur every 3 to 7
days.
7. Other symptoms are coffee-coloured vomiting,
epistaxis and petechiae.
The arthropathy is manifested by pain, swelling and
stiffness.It appears between 3rd and 5th day after the
onset of clinical symptoms, and it can persist for many
months and even years.
8.
9. TREATMENT
There is no specific treatment of chikungunya infection and it is
usually self limiting.
Analgesics, antipyretics like paracetamol, diclofenac sodium,
chloroquine along with fluid supplementation are recommended to
manage infection and relieve fever, joint pains and swelling.
Drugs like aspirin and steroids should be avoided.
