About this topic
Chikungunya fever causes very bad joint and muscle pain. This illness is passed on by infected mosquitoes. The mosquitoes have white stripes on their bodies and legs. These mosquitoes are more active during the day, often in the early morning and late afternoon. Signs of this illness often start 3 to 7 days after a bite. Signs may last for a few days to a few weeks. It is also possible for one person to pass this infection to others. ‚
There is no specific treatment for this illness. The doctor will treat your signs and keep you comfortable. You may need drugs and extra fluids. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Your care at home will be based on how sick you are. Some people are able to return to their normal life fairly quickly. Others may need more care.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may send you to a therapist to help with your joint pain. This will help you get the strength and flexibility back to your joints.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Your doctor may suggest ice to help with joint pain. Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Keep fluids up in your body
- Lower fever
- Ease headaches
- Help with pain and swelling
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- Sometimes, this illness can have very bad joint pain. It may last for weeks and months. The pain may limit your activities.
What problems could happen?
- Brain infection
- Kidney problems
- Heart problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Get rid of areas where mosquitoes like to breed. ‚
- Empty unused swimming pools.
- Dump out water that may collect in tires, buckets, or containers.
- Clean or unclog roof gutters.
- Clear your yard of dead trees to remove insects that live in them.
Protect yourself. ‚
- Use mosquito repellent on your skin.
- Wear clothes that will cover your arms and legs.
- Avoid unnecessary activities outside your house.
- Place wire screens in your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes from going in.
- Sleep under a mosquito net.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Headache
- Dizziness when changing positions
- Cold arms or legs
- Less urine
- Rashes, bruising, or bleeding
- Backache, muscle or joint pain that does not go away
- Weakness
- Throwing up
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to get rid of areas where mosquitos like to breed and how to protect myself.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a backache or muscle or joint pain that does not go away.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/pdfs/CHIKV_FACT%20SHEET_CDC_General%20Public_cleared.pdf ‚
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ‚
http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/Documents/Chikungunya_Fever_Factsheet_for_the_General_Public.pdf ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/145/viewAbstract ‚
World Health Organization ‚
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs327/en/# ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚