Chikungunya: A Dengue-like Disease

DOH Confirms Chikungunya

Outbreak in 10 Municipalities

Sheila Crisostomo | The Philippine Star | July 13, 2013, 12:00am

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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