Thursday, September 5, 2013

Chikungunya: A Dengue-like Disease



DOH Confirms Chikungunya

Outbreak in 10 Municipalities

Sheila Crisostomo | The Philippine Star |

Are you wondering what is this outlandish-sounding name of a disease? The term “chikungunya” came from the Kimakonde language which means “that which bends up” because severe pain causes affected persons to walk in a stooped posture.


CAUSE:  Alphavirus contracted from the bite of the same Dengue-carrying species of mosquitoes – Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.


SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

  • Fever 
  • Headache 
  • Muscle pain
  •  Joint pain (often very debilitating and may persist for several months or years) 
  • Rash 
  • Nausea 
  • Fatigue



Rash



MANAGEMENT:

  • NO specific drug for cure 
  • Relieve symptoms, including joint pain



PREVENTION:

  • NO available vaccine 
  • Avoid being bitten by Aedes mosquitoes 
  • See “4s against Dengue by the Department of Health” in my blog “The Dreaded, Dreadful Dengue”



SIMILARITIES
DIFFERENCES
Transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes
DENGUE                 Affects mostly children
CHIKUNGUNYA      Affects mostly adults
Fever, Rash, Musculoskeletal pain
CHIKUNGUNYA      Joint pain may be debilitating and long-term; Less fatal




Sources: 
Department of Health (DOH) 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
The Philippine Star






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