Have you suddenly felt weak and had a fever and joint pain? It could be a few days after a mosquito bite. You may have heard about Chikungunya, which is spreading in some areas these days. Today, let's find out exactly what it is, why it's so dangerous, and how to protect yourself. There's nothing to be afraid of, but it's important to be aware.
What is Chikungunya? Let's find out exactly what it is.
Simply put, Chikungunya is a virus. It is transmitted to us by mosquitoes. To be precise, the two types of mosquitoes that carry this virus are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus . These mosquitoes also carry the Dengue virus, which you should remember. So, you get Chikungunya when a mosquito with this virus bites you.
The best thing is, it is not transmitted directly from person to person . That is, it cannot be transmitted by talking to or being close to someone who is sick, or even through their saliva. However, there is a small belief that it can be transmitted through blood, but that is very rare.
Do you know the meaning of the name "Chikangunya"? It means "the one who stands up" or "the one who bends forward." The reason for this is the severe joint pain that occurs when this disease occurs. People can be so painful that they can't stand up straight and bend over.
There is no specific cure for this yet. Treatment is aimed at controlling the symptoms. Most people recover within a week, but for some, joint pain can last for months, even years.
If you are traveling to an area where chikungunya is prevalent, you should be very careful to avoid mosquitoes. Especially if you have the virus, you should be careful not to be bitten by other mosquitoes during the first week . If you do, a mosquito that does not have the virus can bite you, and that mosquito can also get the virus and spread the disease to others.
How common is this? Is it in Sri Lanka too?
In fact, experts say that the number of cases of this disease may be higher than reported. This is because its symptoms are similar to other diseases, especially dengue, and sometimes go undiagnosed. Although it used to be limited to Africa and Asia, this virus has now spread throughout the world, to more than 110 countries. We have seen cases of chikungunya-like outbreaks in Sri Lanka, so we also need to be very careful.
Are Chikungunya and Dengue the same disease?
No, these are two different viruses. However, both are spread by the same type of mosquito . Also, the symptoms of dengue are very similar to those of chikungunya. The Zika virus is another virus that has similar symptoms and is also spread by mosquitoes. This is why doctors suspect all three viruses if someone has symptoms like fever and joint pain, especially if they have recently traveled abroad.
What are these symptoms of Chikungunya? See if you have these too.
Symptoms usually appear three to seven days after being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus. However, some people may develop symptoms as early as two days, while others may develop symptoms as late as twelve days.
Fever and joint pain are the main and most common symptoms of chikungunya. The severity of this pain can vary from person to person. Many people experience unbearable joint pain. The fever also comes on suddenly. For some people, the symptoms are so mild that they may not even go to the doctor, thinking it is some other minor illness.
Other symptoms that may occur are:
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Joint swelling
- Skin rash
- Fatigue
- Nausea
Most people recover completely within a week or so. However, as mentioned earlier, some people may continue to have joint pain even after recovery.
How does this disease develop? How should we be careful?
A person gets the disease when they are bitten by a mosquito that has been infected with the virus. It is only spread by mosquitoes , and is not spread directly from person to person through bodily fluids or touch. This means that if you have chikungunya, you cannot spread the disease to your caregivers or family members.
However, very rarely, there have been reports of healthcare workers contracting the virus while handling the blood of an infected person. This means that it is possible to transmit the virus through blood, but it is very rare.
Is this a contagious disease? Can it be passed from person to person?
Chikungunya is spread through the bite of a mosquito. A person who has the virus cannot spread it to another person through saliva, sneezing, or coughing. The virus is only spread by an infected mosquito.
The highest risk of transmitting the virus from an infected person to an uninfected mosquito is within the first week of illness . That's why it's recommended to be extra careful with mosquitoes during that time.
Who is more likely to develop this?
You are most likely to get this disease if you travel to a country where there is currently a chikungunya outbreak or where the disease is commonly reported. Before traveling anywhere, check with your doctor or organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) to find out if there is a risk of chikungunya in the area you are traveling to.
If a pregnant mother gets the virus, it will not be passed on to her unborn baby. There is also no evidence that the virus can be passed on to her baby through breast milk. However, pregnant women who are about to give birth should avoid traveling to countries where chikungunya is endemic . This is because the virus can be passed on to the baby during delivery.
What are the possible complications of Chikungunya?
The most common complication of this virus is chronic joint pain . Some people report having pain for months, even years, after recovering from chikungunya.
Newborns, people over 65, and people with certain chronic conditions are at higher risk of developing severe complications from this virus. Such conditions include:
- Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus)
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
Death from this virus is very rare. There have been reports of some people continuing to have heart, eye, or neurological symptoms after recovering from the virus.
How do you accurately diagnose this disease? (Diagnosis)
If you have symptoms of chikungunya, especially if you have recently traveled to an area where chikungunya is common, be sure to tell your doctor. He or she can do a blood test to confirm whether you have chikungunya.
Is there a treatment for Chikungunya? What can be done?
As mentioned earlier, there is no specific medicine to kill the chikungunya virus. Treatment is aimed at controlling the symptoms and providing you with relief. This includes:
- Drink plenty of water and fluids.
- Rest well.
- Take painkillers containing acetaminophen for pain and fever.
- Most importantly: Do not take NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or aspirin until a doctor has diagnosed the condition. These can be dangerous in cases of illness like dengue.
Most people recover within a week of the first symptoms. But some people may have joint pain for months, even years. According to current information, if you have had chikungunya once, you are unlikely to get it again because your body develops immunity against it.
If there is no cure for this, how can we get well?
Although there is no specific "cure" for chikungunya, it is a temporary disease . That is, it will get better with time. However, the most important thing is to prevent it. There is now a vaccine for it. Also, staying away from mosquitoes is very important, especially during the seasons and in areas where chikungunya is spreading.
What happens if you get Chikungunya? How long does it last?
Severe complications from this virus are very rare. Your symptoms may vary in severity, but most people will not have any long-term effects. Based on current data, if you get it once, you may not get it again.
In most cases, chikungunya resolves within seven to ten days after symptoms begin.
What are the ways to avoid Chikungunya? (Prevention)
The good news is that in late 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a vaccine for chikungunya called IXCHIQ . This vaccine is currently approved for people over the age of 18 who are at high risk of exposure to the virus.
Since this vaccine is only for adults, it is still very important to stay away from mosquitoes. Here are some things you can do:
- Use insect repellent. There are not only sprays and creams, but also candles and even electric devices that repel mosquitoes. However, read the instructions on the label carefully before using and use them safely.
- Wear clothing that covers your body well. Cover your arms, legs, palms, and soles of your feet. There are also sprays that can be applied to clothing.
- Remove any standing water around your home. For example, anything that can hold water, such as dishes under flower pots, old tires, buckets, birdbaths, coconut shells, yogurt cups, etc. Mosquitoes like to lay eggs in standing water.
- Place mosquito netting on baby cribs, strollers, and tents.
- Keep your windows and doors closed, or put up screens to stop mosquitoes from coming inside your home.
- Avoid traveling to areas where there is an epidemic situation, especially in the latter part of pregnancy, as it is easy for the newborn to become infected.
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
Important: If you have chikungunya, be careful not to be bitten by another mosquito during the first week of illness. This is because a healthy mosquito could pick up the virus from you and spread it to someone else.
How do I take care of myself?
Since there is no specific treatment for chikungunya, the best thing you can do to take care of yourself is to get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids . Use over-the-counter pain relievers containing acetaminophen for pain and fever.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have symptoms of chikungunya, especially if you have recently traveled abroad , be sure to see a doctor. He or she can run tests to determine if you have chikungunya or another illness.
The most important things we need to remember (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so we've talked a lot about chikungunya. Here are some things to remember in short:
- Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by a mosquito bite .
- The main symptoms are sudden onset of fever and severe joint pain . Headache, body aches, and vomiting may also occur.
- There is no specific medicine to kill the virus . Treatment is to control the symptoms.
- Get plenty of rest, drink fluids, and take paracetamol (Acetaminophen) for pain.
- The most important thing is to protect yourself from mosquitoes . Eliminate standing water around your home, use mosquito repellent, and wear clothing that covers your body.
- There is now a vaccine (IXCHIQ) for people over 18 years of age.
- If you have symptoms, especially if you have recently traveled, be sure to see a doctor.
Don't panic, but be careful. If you are aware, it is easier to protect yourself and your family.
` Chikungunya, mosquitoes, fever, joint pain, virus, symptoms, prevention
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