Chikungunya is a viral infection characterized by sudden attacks of fever and joint pain. This virus attacks and infects humans through mosquito bites Aedes aegypti orAedes albopictus, Two types of mosquitoes are also known to cause dengue fever.
According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, throughout 2017 there were 126 cases of chikungunya in 4 cities/districts in Indonesia. Of the 126 cases, 121 cases occurred in the province of Central Sulawesi, while the remaining 5 occurred in Aceh. To date, there have been no reports of deaths from chikungunya.
Reason Chikungunya
Chikungunya is caused by a virus carried by mosquitoes Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus. The mosquito acquires the chikungunya virus when it bites someone who has been infected previously. Transmission of the virus occurs when another person is bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus. Please note that the chikungunya virus does not spread directly from person to person.
The chikungunya virus can attack anyone. However, the risk of developing this disease is higher in newborns, the elderly 65 years and over, and individuals with other medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.
Symptom Chikungunya
In some cases, chikungunya does not cause any symptoms. However, most people with chikungunya experience symptoms, such as:
- Fever up to 39 degrees Celsius
- Pain in muscles and joints
- Swollen joints
- Pain in the bones
- Headache
- Rashes appear on the body
- Weak
- Nauseous
The above symptoms usually appear 3-7 days after a person is bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus. In general, the patient will improve within a week. But in some patients, joint pain can last for months. Although not to the point of death, severe symptoms of chikungunya can cause temporary paralysis.
DChikungunya diagnosis
Symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of dengue fever and the Zika virus. Therefore, someone who experiences the above symptoms is advised to immediately consult a doctor, so that appropriate treatment can be given.
Tell your doctor if before symptoms appear, you travel to an area where chikungunya is endemic. This information will help your doctor make the right diagnosis. Then to further confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will run an ELISA test (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays). The ELISA test is a serological test to check for the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies associated with chikungunya. Generally, IgM antibody levels are very high 3-5 weeks after symptoms appear, and can last up to 2 months.
Treatment Chikungunya
There is no specific treatment to cure chikungunya, because sufferers will recover on their own. In most cases, symptoms will subside within a week. However, joint pain can last up to several months.
The doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs or bone flu medicine, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve joint pain and fever. In addition, patients will also be advised to drink plenty of water and get enough rest.
Please note, do not use aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) until the doctor confirms the symptoms you are experiencing are not symptoms of dengue fever. This is to prevent bleeding. If you are taking medication for another condition, you should first consult with your doctor before taking other medications.
Prevention Chikungunya
Prevention of chikungunya is the same as preventing other diseases caused by mosquito bites. The main way is to eradicate mosquito nests (PSN) with the 3M Plus action. 3M in question includes:
- Close the water storage area tightly.
- Drain the water reservoir.
- Bury used items that can hold water.
Meanwhile, the Plus (additional) actions that can be taken to help 3M are:
- Sprinkle abate powder on the water reservoir.
- Install mosquito nets in the ventilation of the house.
- Use mosquito nets while sleeping.
- Plant mosquito repellent plants.
- Stop the habit of hanging clothes.
In addition to the steps above, you can take some additional precautions, especially if you want to travel to chikungunya endemic areas, including:
- Using anti-mosquito lotion with ingredients N,N-diethylmetatolumide (DEET) on a regular basis. If you wear sunscreen, apply lotion after sunscreen.
- Use mosquito coils placed outside to help repel mosquitoes.
- Wear long sleeves and long pants at all times.
Complications of Chikungunya
In rare cases, chikungunya can cause dangerous complications, such as:
- Uveitis (inflammation of the part of the eye called the uvea)
- Retinitis (inflammation of the retina of the eye)
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
- Nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys)
- Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
- Meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain)
- Myelitis (inflammation of one segment of the spinal cord)
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (a nervous system disorder that can cause paralysis)