How is Chikungunya diagnosed?

 

A bite from mosquitoes that carry the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) can cause chikungunya in humans. This viral disease shares similar symptoms as dengue and Zika viruses, which often result in misdiagnosis. To get an accurate result, you can get a chikungunya test done from a well-reputed diagnostic centre.

Introduction

Chikungunya, or the CHIKV virus, is an infection that spreads to humans whenever a mosquito that carries the strain bites them. Commonly, this disease occurs through the bites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito and the Aedes albopictus mosquito. The illness is also not entirely contagious through saliva or physical contact. This disease causes symptoms that are similar to those of dengue and Zika viruses, which can oftentimes lead to a misdiagnosis.This article provides information and more in-depth detail into the disease, its symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and more.

Diagnosis of the Chikungunya Virus

There are a number of chikungunya test available to help provide an official diagnosis of the disease. These tests have been listed below for your reference:

RT-PCR: This blood test is done within the first 8 days after the infection takes place in the body. This test can help doctors determine whether you’re suffering from the viral illness or not, as it is capable of detecting the Chikungunya viral RNA.

Chikungunya IgM: This is another common chikungunya test that is prescribed by doctors to help detect the virus in the body. This blood test works on the detection of IgM antibodies in the blood sample.

These tests are vital, as they can help with the early detection of the disease. Once detected and confirmed, doctors can prescribe the correct treatment plan to ensure a speedy recovery.

Symptoms of the Chikungunya Virus

While a chikungunya test can provide a solid diagnosis, it is first essential to understand the symptoms that present themselves when a person is infected with the chikungunya virus. Listed below are all of the symptoms that can indicate the presence of the chikungunya strain in the body:

• Fever
• Pain in the joints
• Swelling in the joints
• Rashes on the skin
• Lethargy and fatigue
• Nausea

These symptoms usually present themselves within the first 3 to 7 days after the initial mosquito bite. In rare cases, the symptoms can start much sooner or much later (after 12 days after the initial bite). It lasts for a week in most cases before completely dissipating. The infected person can usually make a recovery within this time; however, it is important to note that there may be chronic joint pain even after the disease has left the body.

High-Risk Groups for the Chikungunya Virus

While anyone can get infected with the strain, certain demographic groups are more susceptible to the disease than others. These groups have been listed below for your reference:

• Recent travel to any region that has had a Chikungunya outbreak
• Pregnant women are more likely to pass the infection on to their newborn foetus if they are infected near the time of birth.
• People who are older than 65 are more susceptible to getting affected by the Chikungunya virus.
• People suffering from high blood pressure
• People suffering from diabetes and other heart-related conditions

How to Treat the Chikungunya Virus

Once you have a solid diagnosis after getting any of the required chikungunya test, it is essential to know more about how to care for yourself to ensure that you recover from the disease as soon as possible. While there is no direct treatment for the chikungunya virus, there are a number of things that can help manage the condition better:

• Ensure that you are hydrated and drink the required amount of water every day.
• Resting and sleeping as much as possible will provide your body with the time it needs to recover.
• Taking medications to manage the pain better (acetaminophen)

Prevention Methods to Avoid the Chikungunya Virus

There are certain ways in which you can avoid getting infected by this mosquito-borne disease. These preventive methods have been listed below for your reference:

• If you are travelling to an area that is prone to developing chikungunya outbreaks, you can get a chikungunya vaccine to help protect your body against the virus.
• Using bug repellents frequently
• Properly covering your exposed body parts (wearing full sleeves shirts to cover your arms and trousers to cover your legs)
• Avoid water collection and mosquito breeding
• Use mosquito netting whenever and wherever possible.

Conclusion

Chikungunya can be a bothersome mosquito-borne disease that can affect a lot of people easily. You can get a solid diagnosis by getting a chikungunya test, as it is often a misdiagnosed disease. It shares some symptoms with dengue fever and the Zika virus, making the test more essential for early diagnosis. Before booking the test, you can also check  chikungunya test price online.