What is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a virus that causes an illness much like Zika or Dengue Fever. Most patients have a fever and arthritis symptoms. It can be quite debilitating and last for months.
How can I catch Chikungunya?
- Mosquito bite: Chikungunya is spread to humans from an infected mosquito bite. The most common bite is from the female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitos. Humans are the main host for the virus during outbreaks.
- Infected blood exposure: Lab persons drawing an infected person’s blood or working with the infected blood in a lab have contracted the disease as well.
- Mother-to-fetus transmission: An infected pregnant person can transmit to their unborn baby during birth. As a side note, an infected mom cannot transmit to her baby via breast milk. The virus is not found in breast milk.
Where is Chikungunya found?
The Aedes mosquito lives in warm, wet areas. Over the past few decades, it has spread further north and south as the weather has warmed. Patient’s have been diagnosed in cold climates such as in Germany, England, and the northern United States (U.S.) but that is mostly due to travel when they contracted the illness elsewhere.
There were 5-68 cases of Chikungunya a year in the U.S. from 2006 to 2013. All of these were travel related. The infected persons had traveled from Asia, Africa, or the Indian Ocean to the U.S. where they were diagnosed.
By 2014 the U.S. had its first locally acquired infections from mosquito bites in the U.S. Almost 5000 cases were reported in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. That amount decreased every year until there were zero locally acquired cases in 2020. In 2021 there were 36 travel-associated cases documented in the U.S.
What are the symptoms of Chikungunya?
- Fever—most common
- Joint Aches—most common
- Body/Muscle Aches
- Rash
- Headache
Most people who become infected will show symptoms. The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain. The symptoms show up 3-7 days after exposure to the virus. The infection usually resolves within a week, but it can last for months in some people with severe body pain.
As in most infections infants, the elderly (65 years and older), and those with comorbid diseases such as diabetes, cancer, or high blood pressure are at an increased risk of more severe symptoms.
How is Chikungunya diagnosed?
The patient will need a blood draw that tests for the presence of the Chikungunya virus. This test is better in the first week of the infection. After the first week, they may draw a different type of test. This is still a blood test but it tests for antibodies to the virus which is the body’s immune response to the virus. These antibodies may last in the body for up to 2 months.
The doctor will also test for other similar viruses such as Zika because it can be hard to differentiate by physical exam alone.
Treatment
There is currently no specific treatment for Chikungunya. Treatment is focused on supportive care. Patients with long-term arthritic symptoms have shown to benefit from NSAIDs such as Motrin and naproxen. Sometimes in severe cases, Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can be considered. DMARDs are strong anti-inflammatory arthritis drugs such as methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine. These medicines can have serious side-effects so they are not used unless warranted.
How do I keep from catching Chikungunya?
While researchers are currently trying to develop a vaccine to the Chikungunya virus, there is not one currently available.
The best prevention is avoiding mosquito bites.
If you are living in or traveling to an area with the Aedes mosquito or known cases take these precautions:
- Wear clothing covering exposed areas of your skin during periods of high rainfall or mosquitos noted.
- Use mosquito repellant such as Deet.
- Get rid of all standing freshwater sources. Mosquitos bread in fresh water. Even a small cup can hold enough water for mosquito larvae to grow!
Conclusion
While not common, Chikungunya is highly infectious and can become debilitating. It is rare to die from this virus but death is possible.
If you have traveled to any areas such as Asia, Africa, Europe, Southern U.S., the Caribbean, Central America, South America, the Indian Ocean, or the Mediterranean, been bit by a mosquito, and have a fever and joint pain please seek immediate medical care and advice.