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Is chikungunya more dangerous than you think? All about the debilitating arthritis caused by the mosquito-borne virus
According to doctors, the mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus can cause at least 40-50 per cent of patients to develop chronic arthritis symptoms after its acute phase. Most of these patients are elderly people with low immunity levels and have painful, destructive inflammatory arthritis that often mimics rheumatoid arthritis and related disorders. Read on to learn how to protect yourself from this debilitating disease.
Although it is not life threatening or fatal, this condition can lead to several serious complications.
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that means “making you bend over” or “walk bent over” because the infection causes severe joint and muscle pain. The number of cases usually increases during the monsoon season when mosquitoes start breeding and causes a number of symptoms that can be debilitating and lower your immunity levels.
Although it rarely causes life-threatening complications or death, the condition can lead to a number of serious complications. Chikungunya begins with fever and aches, just like malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses. But what’s unique about this virus is that it also brings severe joint pain that subsides in a few weeks, although it can lead some people to develop chronic arthritis.
Dr Divya Gopal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, told Times Now, “Most patients feel better within a week. However, the joint pain can be severe and disabling and can persist for months. In some cases, the joint pain is so extensive that patients have difficulty in performing activities of daily living. Elderly patients are also bedridden.”
While many people may recover without any symptoms after a week or two, many others may continue to have joint and muscle pain for years – known as chikungunya arthritis. Dr Gopal said this condition affects at least 40 per cent of people who get infected with the virus.
Signs and Symptoms of Chikungunya Arthritis
Doctors say symptoms of chikungunya usually appear 3-7 days after the bite, but can also last from 1-12 days, and include:
- High fever
- Severe joint and muscle pain that becomes debilitating, and may be bilateral and symmetrical
- Headache
- Swelling and inflammation of the joints
- rash
- nausea
- Tiredness
- Conjunctivitis
Ways to prevent infection
Doctors recommend vaccination for adults who are at high risk of getting chikungunya. One vaccine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration — an injection of a weakened chikungunya virus — and the vaccine is given in one dose.
Also, according to experts, if you’re traveling to an area with a chikungunya outbreak, take precautions to avoid infection. Since chikungunya is not spread from person to person but through mosquitoes, avoiding bites is your best protection. Follow these tips:
- Use an insect repellent that contains DEET or picaridin. Check that it is registered by the Environmental Protection Agency
- wear long sleeves and pants
- Eliminate standing water when possible
- Protect yourself indoors with screens, air conditioning and mosquito nets
- If you’re pregnant, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, don’t travel to an area with a chikungunya outbreak. The virus can be passed to your baby and cause serious complications
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