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Chikungunya Fever

Sandeep Singh Jubbal, MD and Jyothi Margapuri, MD Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • A single stranded RNA virus (genus Alphavirus; family Togaviridae)

  • Transmitted by Aedes spp. mosquitoes

  • The average incubation period is 2 to 4 days (range 1 to 12 days), followed by t...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Abrupt onset of fever 3 to 7 days after an infected mosquito bite

  • Asymptomatic infections are rare (3–25%).

  • Polyarthralgia 2 to 5 days after fever onset; usually bilateral and asymmetri...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Most patients recover fully; joint pain may persist for months or years.

  • Avoid aspirin and NSAID until dengue ruled out to reduce bleeding risk; acetaminophen preferred for fe...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Chikungunya fever is reportable. Notify state health officials of all suspected infections. 

PROGNOSIS

  • Newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults (≥65...

REFERENCES

1
Burt  FJ, Rolph  MS, Rulli  NE, et al. Chikungunya: a re-emerging virus. Lancet.  2012;379(9816):662–671. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]
2
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ADDITIONAL READING

CODES

ICD10

A92.0 Chikungunya virus disease 

SNOMED

111864006 Chikungunya fever 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Chikungunya is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever and is frequently accompanied by debilitating joint pain.

  • Obtain serologies and virology studies (RT-PCR) in the 1st week after ...

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