Pain in the joints and accompanied by fever, sometimes interpreted as bone flu. However, there is no definite explanation regarding this type of disease. Actually, what is the bone flu?
In the medical world there is actually no term bone flu. However, some diseases, such as Chikungunya and osteomelitis, are often referred to as bone flu. To find out why the two diseases are often considered bone flu, it's a good idea to recognize the two types of disease.
Understanding Disease Chikungunya
Chikungunya is caused by a virus that is transmitted from infected mosquitoes to humans. Mosquitoes that can transmit this virus are mosquitoes Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti. Chikungunya is sometimes also classified as a rheumatic virus because of its effect on the joints. Chikungunya is often referred to as the bone flu because it affects the joints.
Virus genus Alphavirus which are transmitted by mosquitoes, can make an infected person experience several symptoms such as:
- Fever up to 400 Celsius and swollen joints.
- Feeling tired, dizzy, muscle aches, nausea, and rashes appear on the skin.
- Pain occurs in the joints of the ankles, lower back, knees, between the bones of the fingers, or wrists.
These symptoms generally last for about 3 days. Although rarely fatal, the virus can stay in the body for about 7 days. During this time, other mosquitoes that bite the patient can also become infected with the virus that causes chikungunya. Those who have already been infected will have lifelong immunity to chikungunya.
Recognize Osteomelitis
Unlike Chikungunya, osteomelitis which is a bone infection is caused by bacteria that attack the bones. Not only adults, children can also get this disease. Usually, the infected bones are long bones, such as the bones of the legs and arms in children, and the bones of the legs, pelvis, and spine in adults.
This condition occurs when the body is infected with certain types of organisms or bacteria. One of them is bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria enter the bloodstream and infect certain parts of the bone. This infection can also spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the bone.
The bacteria or organisms that cause osteomelitis can enter the body in a variety of ways, including deep cuts, surgery to repair a bone fracture (cracked or broken bone), or hip replacement surgery.
Osteomelitis is usually characterized by several symptoms, such as:
- Pain in the infected area and the appearance of red patches, accompanied by fever and chills.
- Feeling unwell, the infected area will appear dry, swollen, stiff or paralyzed.
- Fever and pain in the bones that are part of the symptoms of this disease make it sometimes interpreted as bone flu.
If you experience symptoms that are considered as bone flu, you should immediately consult a doctor. The doctor will carry out the necessary examinations to diagnose your actual condition, as well as determine the appropriate treatment. If needed, your doctor can give you bone flu medicine to relieve your symptoms.