The Ministry of Public Health confirmed the existence of the chikungunya virus in the Dominican Republic. Over the weekend, around 150 patients were being treated in San Cristobal for the disease. The disease is a viral infection spread by the same Aedes mosquito that causes dengue. The viruses are transmitted from human to human by the bites of infected female mosquitos. To make matters worse, a person can be infected with both chikungunya and dengue at the same time. It is strongly recommended to take preventive measures to minimize the risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Symptoms for chikungunya and dengue are almost identical – high fever (40?C/ 104?F), headache, eye ache, joint pain (lower back, ankle, knees, wrists or phalanges), rashes and lethargy. Chikungunya is rarely fatal.
Several methods can be used for diagnosis. Blood tests can detect the dengue and chikungunya viruses during the first few days of infection. Beyond the first few days following infection, tests can be performed to detect for the presence of the virus-specific antibodies.
Symptoms appear between 4 and 7 days after the patient has been bitten by the infected mosquito. Symptoms are generally self-limiting and last for 2n3 days. The virus remains in the human system for 5-7 days and mosquitoes feeding on an infected person during this period can also become infected. Chikungunya shares some clinical signs with dengue and can be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common.
The best way to distinguish between the two tropical fevers is joint pain.
Currently, no vaccine is available for either dengue or chikungunya and treatment is symptomatic. NSAIDs need to be avoided because of capillary fragility and increased risk of bleeding.