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Chikungunya

The word 'Chikungunya' has originated from a Makonde word meaning "that which bends up". This so because of the stooped posture that develops due to the arthritic symptoms of the disease.

It is also called the Buggy Creek virus, found mainly in Africa and some parts of Asia.

First outbreak of this disease was reported in the Makonde plateau, which is situated along the border of Tanzania and Mozambique.

Chikungunya is caused by a viral infection and transmitted to humans through bite of mosquitoes infected with the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV).

Symptoms of thi disease include headache, fever,fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, rashes, joint pains etc. In its acute form, this infection continues from a few days to a couple of weeks, with joint pain and fatigue.

Sometimes this infection does not cause fever and called 'Silent chikungunya'. Silent Chikungunya doesn't require treatment.

Like malaria, this infection also propogate through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes become infected when they bite a patient of CHIKV.

Presently no vaccine is available for CHIKV and no specific anti-viral treatment is prescribed for Chikungunya. However, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and Naproxen are prescribed for relief. Aspirin should be avoided during treatment of CHIKV.

To prevent this infection, mosquito bites should be avoided by using nets, covering maximum portion of body with clothings and using mosquito repellents.