Chikungunya: Meaning, Diagnosis and Overview

What is Chikungunya?

Chikungunya is a mosquito borne viral disease. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. It is also known as Chikungunya virus disease or Chikungunya fever.

Recovery Time

Recovery from the fever depends on the age and immunity of the patient. While children usually recover in 5 to 15 days, adults may recover in 1 to 2.5 months. Elderly patients may take even longer than that.

Diagnosis

Chikungunya can be diagnosed through laboratory tests like Rt-PCR, serological tests and virus isolation.

FAQs prepared by doctor

Q1.  What is the impact of Chikungunya infection during pregnancy?
Pregnant woman can get Chikungunya infection at any stage of pregnancy. The chances of passing the infection to fetus are very less. If the pregnant woman is infected at the time of delivery, the virus can be transmitted to the new born child. If a new born is infected the risk is considerably higher. So it is important to ensure that in Chikungunya areas pregnant woman is protected from mosquito bite.

Q2.  Is it ok to breast feed if the mother is infected with Chikungunya?
Currently there is no evidence that Chikungunya virus is transmitted through breast milk. Again the best defence for the child is to use mosquito nets and repellents to reduce the risk of mosquito bite.

Q3.  How is Chikungunya different from other fevers?
Chikungunya fever is usually self-limiting. The fever accompanied by joint swelling usually lasts for about three days.The joint swelling and pain often persist even after the recovery from the fever up to one to three weeks or even months depending on the age of the patient.

Q4.  How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
The time between the bite of a mosquito carrying Chikungunya virus and the start of
symptoms ranges from one to twelve days.