Chikungunya symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Chikungunya is a viral infection transmitted through mosquito bites. Two types of mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, are responsible for spreading it.

The disease cannot be transmitted from person to person through bodily contact or saliva. Although transmission through the blood is possible, it rarely happens.

Key facts about Chikungunya

Incubation period

The incubation period (between infection and first symptoms) for chikungunya is 3–7 days, but it might take up to 12 days. [1, 2] Chikungunya Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment- CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/symptoms-diagnosis-treatment/index.html
Chikungunya fact sheet- WHO
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chikungunya

Symptoms

No symptoms

About 3-28 % of people have no symptoms. [1] Chikungunya Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment- CDC https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/symptoms-diagnosis-treatment/index.html

Acute symptoms

One of the most common signs of chikungunya is a combination of sudden high fever (over 102°F) and joint pain. Body rash, joint swelling, headache, and fatigue are also common.

The intensity of the symptoms varies from person to person, but most individuals describe joint pain as crippling.

The average duration of chikungunya symptoms is 7 to 10 days.

Chronic symptoms

About 43% of people who get chikungunya experience joint pain, arthritis, and fatigue lasting months to years. Many with chronic symptoms might never fully recover. [3, 4] Chikungunya virus disease- European Center for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/chikungunya-virus-disease
About Chikungunya- Pan American Health Organization
https://www.paho.org/en/topics/chikungunya

Diagnosis

Let your doctor know where you traveled so it is easier to establish the diagnosis.

A PCR chikungunya test can detect the virus in the blood during the acute stage within one week of becoming infected.

An antibody blood test (immune response to the virus) can be detected one week after becoming infected and can still be detected for another 2-3 months.

Treatment

There is no chikungunya specific medication. The treatment focuses on the symptoms relief:

• Tylenol for pain and fever
• Fluids
• Rest