Chikungunya shares symptoms similar to dengue fever including:

• Fever (which can last up to 7 days)
• Intense headache with pain behind the eyes
• Body aches and joint pain
• Rashes
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting

For symptoms where Chikungunya differs from dengue fever, patients with Chikungunya have been known to experience:

• Significant multiple joint pain and joint swelling
  
  
• Generalised rashes (spread across the body). Rashes from dengue, on the other hand, usually start as patchy, localised (mild erythematous) rashes but may progress to generalised rashes.

It is possible to differentiate Chikungunya from dengue based on signs and symptoms.

“However, as dual infections are possible since both are transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes. Diagnostic confirmation by laboratory test is recommended,” Dr Pushpalatha said.

1. Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of fluids (water, isotonic drinks, fruit juices and soup) to maintain hydration. Avoid tea, coffee, alcohol and soft drinks with high sugar content which may cause dehydration.

If you are unable to drink due to nausea or vomiting, fluids may be given intravenously by drip.

2. Manage your symptoms well

Take paracetamol to keep fever and joint pain under control. Medications may also be prescribed for nausea, vomiting and if there are itchy rashes. Rashes usually resolve on its own over two to three weeks.

3. Eat well

Although there are no specific foods to eat or avoid when a person is down with Chikungunya, as with any illness, it is best to avoid raw, greasy or fat, spicy foods. Instead, light and easy-to-digest food are recommended.

4. Consult a specialist

Persisting joint pains and joint swellings for more than 3 months will require referral to specialist rheumatologist for evaluation and further management with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) therapy.

Please see a doctor immediately If you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Persistent vomiting
• Vomiting blood
• Black and tarry stools
• Bleeding from the nose or gums
• Drowsiness or irritability
• Pale, cold, or clammy (sweaty) skin
• Difficulty breathing

If I’ve gotten Chikungunya before, can I get it again?

“Based on outbreak studies it has been noted that patients with Chikungunya don’t contract it again. After recovery, they usually develop a lifelong immunity to it,” Dr Pushpalatha said. 

“However, for dengue fever, it’s different. There are four strains of the dengue virus: DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4. Even if you recover from one strain and build immunity against it, you can still contract dengue fever from the other strains,” she added. 

Prevention is your best protection. So be vigilant when it comes to preventing the breeding and staying protected from Aedes mosquitos.

Ref: G25

Related articles:
Dengue Fever: How to Recover Fast

Home Remedies for Fever and When is it an Emergency?

How to Protect Your Home from Aedes Mosquitos