Chikungunya - Medtick
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Chikungunya

What is it?

An Infectious viral condition that can spread very quickly via infected Ades.aegypti and Aedes.albopictus mosquitoes in Asia, infected primates and small mammals in Africa.

  • It is similar to Dengue but does not normally cause any hemorrhagic (bleeding) complications but can cause severe arthritis pain which can last up to a year.
  • The time taken to develop symptoms is one to four days after being bitten and recovery period is from one to four weeks (normally by two weeks).
  • Outbreaks occur particularly during rainy season where there is fresh standing water and puddles and in high dense populated areas surrounded in this environment:
    • Outer regions of Africa
    • North Australia
    • Indian Subcontinent
    • Malaysian regions
    • Pacific islands
    • South East Asia

Countries affected are:

Caribbean

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Aruba
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Cayman Islands
  • Curaçao
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Grenada
  • Guadeloupe
  • Haiti
  • Jamaica
  • Martinique
  • Montserrat
  • Puerto Rico
  • Saint Barthelemy (French Territorial Collectivity)
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Martin (French Territorial Collectivity)
  • Sint Maarten
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turks and Caicos
  • US Virgin Islands

North America

  • Bermuda
  • Mexico
  • United States of America (Alaska, Hawaii, Oahu, Maui)

Central America

  • Belize
  • Costa Rica
  • El Salvador
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Nicaragua
  • Panama

South America

  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador (Galapagos Islands)
  • French Guiana
  • Guyana
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Suriname
  • Venezuela (Margarita Island)

 

Europe & Russia

  • France (Corsica)
  • Italy (Sardinia, Sicily)
  • United Kingdom

Africa

  • Congo
  • Kenya
  • Mauritius
  • Sudan
  • United Republic of Tanzania (Zanzibar)

Asia

  • Bhutan
  • India
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Thailand

Australasia and Pacific

  • French Polynesia
  • Papua New Guinea
Ibuprofen can be used under medical supervision, however ibuprofen is not recommended in asthma or asthma type symptoms. This condition can be confused with dengue, Ibuprofen cannot be used in dengue because of side effects such as gastritis, increased risk of bleeding , blood thinning properties, thrombocytopenia [condition that occurs when the platelet count in your blood is too low, (platelets help with healing process) ] and dengue fever bleeding complications.

Cause

  • Virus: Togaviridae alpha virus

Symptoms

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats (on and off for seven days)?
  • Joint stiffness and pain especially on smaller joints (hands and feet) – both sides of the body?
  • Pain is worse in the mornings?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Facial flushing?
  • Widespread rash on trunk, limbs, palms and feet?
  • Swollen or sticky eye or sensitive to light?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

Do not wait, phone for ambulance

This condition can lead to:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Chikungunya in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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