Chikungunya - The Treatment

 

Chikungunya is a mosquito transmitted virus which is becoming more widespread. It has recently been  reported in the Caribbean and France.  The symptoms usually appear within 3- 7 days of a bite.

To prevent the mosquito attack, use repellants on your skin at all times, wearing long sleeves and long trousers whenever possible. Keep mosquito nets over beds and the doors and windows screened. Better still, use air conditioning whenever it is available.

Don't allow water to stand in containers outside.

 The chikungunya rash

There is no medication available to treat the chikungunya virus.  

It is important to keep your fluid levels high to prevent dehydration and to take anti-inflammatories and pain relievers. Get plenty of rest.

If you suspect a mosquito bite from an area where the virus is present and the symptoms are present, it is essential to seek medical advice.

Some people benefit greatly from physiotherapy and podiatry who can offer therapies which are designed for the relief of  arthritis. Chikungunya sufferers may require orthotics for many months after the virus has passed.

After our lady sufferer had visited our surgery, she said of the Chikungunya Virus

"It has affected me so much that I will never go back to the Caribbean. Even though my son lives there."

Chikungunya - The Symptoms

Chikungunya is a mosquito transmitted virus which has evolved since the 1950's , becoming more widespread. It has recently been  reported in the Caribbean and France.  The symptoms usually appear within 3- 7 days of a bite which are high fever and disabling painful joints, most often in the hands and feet. People who have contracted chikungunya may also suffer with nausea, vomiting, headaches and a rash. Between 72 - 93% of infected people become symptomatic. Death is rare.

It is reported that acute symptoms last for around  one to two weeks, although some people suffer with painful joints for months or even years afterwards.

The symptoms are very similar to another disease called Dengue. 

Dengue is transmitted by the same mosquito as chikungunya,  and displays similar symptoms. 

Dengue is also a killer.

An incidence reported in France mainland recently occurred in two children aged 8 and 10 who had returned from a visit to  Martinique.  They both had acute fever and painful joints. The boy had swollen knees and they both had rashes on their bodies. 

The most vulnerable are the elderly and the very young and those with underlying medical conditions.

Complications due to an episode of the Chikungunya virus include painful eye conditions, retinitis and uveitis. Inflammation of the liver, kidney and the meninges of the brain.  Some patients have repeated relapses of rheumatologic symptoms after the acute phase has passed.

Chikungunya (What - on EARTH??)

A patient called her podiatrist for an appointment this week as she had been suffering with chikungunya and she needed some therapy on her joints.

Naturally some research was required (as this was something not encountered previously!)  and we thought you may like to share our findings. Interestingly, Chikungunya is caused by a mosquito type bite and is most common in hotter lands than the UK;  although there have been reported outbreaks as close as Northern Europe.  Not surprisingly, Chikungunya is on the increase.

 Countries with reported local transmission of chikungunya virus (as of July 2014)

Chikungunya  is a virus and is transmitted by aggressive biting mosquitoes, which attack during the day. Once infected , the person has a high fever and severely debilitating painful joints, very often in their hands and feet. Our lady suffered severe vomiting and was hospitalised for a number of days. She was weakened and the painful joints made it difficult for her to walk. The mosquito responsible in her case, was very large and she witnessed the bite.

Outbreaks have previously been reported in Africa, Asia, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Although the virus has been reported since the 1950's, the incidence has been mainly in developing countries and sadly little interest was shown. An outbreak in the French colony of La Reunion in the Indian Ocean during 2005 motivated France to invest in research.  The first transmission of the virus in the Caribbean, was reported in 2013. So be aware if you are travelling to this popular destination.