Chikungunya history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
History and Symptoms
The symptoms of Chikungunya include fever which can reach 39°C, (102.2°F) a petechial or maculopapular rash usually involving the limbs and trunk, and arthralgia or arthritis affecting multiple joints which can be debilitating. The symptoms could also include headache, conjunctival injection, and slight photophobia. In the present epidemic in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, India, high fever and crippling joint pain are the prevalent complaint. The fever typically lasts for two days and abruptly comes down. However, other symptoms, namely joint pain, intense headache, insomnia and an extreme degree of prostration last for a variable period, usually for about 5 to 7 days. But, patients have complained joint pains for much longer time periods depending on age of the patient. With younger patients recovering within 5 to 15 days and middle aged recovering in 1 to 2.5 months and more for old people. It has been observed that the severity of the disease as well as its duration is less in younger patients and pregnant women. No untoward effects of pregnancy is noticed following the infection.
Dermatological manifestations observed in a recent outbreak of Chikungunya fever in Southern India (Dr. Arun Inamadar, Dr. Aparna Palit, Dr.V.V. Sampagavi, Dr. Raghunath S, Dr. N.S. Deshmukh), Western India (Surat) (Western India reported by Dr. Buddhadev) and Eastern India (Puri) (Dr. Milon Mitra et al) includes the following:
- Maculopapular rash
- Nasal blotchy erythema
- Freckle-like pigmentation over centro-facial area
- Flagellate pigmentation on face and extremities
- Lichenoid eruption and hyperpigmentation in photodistributed areas
- Multiple aphthous-like ulcers over scrotum, crural areas and axilla.
- Lympoedema in acral distribution (bilateral/unilateral)
- Multiple ecchymotic spots (Children)
- Vesiculobullous lesions (infants)
- Subungual hemorrhage
- Photo Urticaria
- Acral Urticaria
- Cephalgia
- Lumbago
- Vomiting
- Epistaxis and haemetemesis
Histopathologically, pigmentary changes, maculopapular rash, lichenoid rash, aphthous-like ulcers show lymphocytic infiltration around dermal blood vessels (Inamadar et al). Pedal oedema (swelling of legs) is observed in many patients, the cause of which remains obscure as it is not related to any cardiovascular, renal or hepatic abnormalities.