Chikungunya (Viral Infection)
Description
A viral infection that is acquired from a mosquito bite (Aedes mosquito). The infection is most often seen in Africa, Asia and India. The illness is rarely fatal and many infected patients experience no symptoms at all. It is a common cause of fever in patients traveling to the geographic areas of infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms begin 2-12 days after being bitten and include: fever, joint pain, back pain, headache, rash, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be done. The diagnosis can be confirmed by identifying the virus in the blood (viral culture) or by measuring the antibody (IgM) response to the virus in the blood.
- Antibody Tests
Treatment
There is no specific treatment. Patients should drink plenty of fluids, take acetaminophen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen) or aspirin for their fever. Children should not take aspirin because of the risk of Reyes syndrome. Immediate treatment should be sought for persistent vomiting, severe headache, confusion or other serious symptoms.
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Research
- Family Practice
- Infectious Disease Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
- Pediatrics
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