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- $Unique_ID{BRK03591}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Chikungunya}
- $Subject{Chikungunya O'Nyong-Nyong}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1986 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
-
- 145:
- Chikungunya
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible that the main title of the article (Chikungunya) is not
- the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
- alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
-
- Synonyms
-
- DISORDER SUBDIVISIONS:
- O'Nyong-Nyong
-
- General Discussion
-
- ** REMINDER **
- The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
- educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
- purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
- contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
- section.
-
-
- Chikungunya is a viral infection transmitted by certain mosquitoes and
- characterized by a rash, severe temporary joint pain, and, in the case of
- O'Nyong-Nyong (an East African variety of the disease), headache and eye
- pain. The disease affects mostly children and young adults. It occurs in
- Africa, Southern Asia, and the Philippines. Arthritic symptoms usually
- resolve within several weeks without causing permanent damage.
-
- Symptoms
-
- Chikungunya usually occurs during childhood or young adulthood. Joint pain,
- sufficiently severe to immobilize the patient and prevent sleep, marks the
- onset of the disease. The joints involved include the knees, elbows, wrists,
- ankles, and fingers. There may be fever. Several days later, a rash appears
- on the thorax, abdomen, arms, and legs. It is itchy and consists of small
- discolored, raised spots. In O'Nyong-Nyong, an East African variety of
- Chikungunya, there is also headache and eye pain, and sometimes enlargement
- of the lymph nodes in the neck.
-
- Causes
-
- Chikungunya is caused by a virus belonging to the group A arboviruses.
- Various species of mosquitos can transmit the disease. Hosts other than man
- that can harbor the infection include monkeys.
-
- Affected Population
-
- Chikungunya affects mostly children and young adults in Africa, South East
- Asia, and the India. O'Nyong-nyong is a variety of chikungunya found in East
- Africa. A large outbreak occurred in Tanganyika in 1953.
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- Chikungunya resolves spontaneously several weeks after onset. Bed rest and
- symptomatic care are the only useful treatments. As with other viral
- diseases, antibiotics are ineffective.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
- September 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
- keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
- accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
- the most current information about this disorder.
-
- Resources
-
- For more information on Chikungunya, please contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- 1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
- Atlanta, GA 30333
- (404) 639-3534
-
- NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- 9000 Rockville Pike
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 496-5717
-
- References
-
- THE MERCK MANUAL 15th ed: R. Berkow, et al: eds; Merck, Sharp & Dohme
- Research Laboratories, 1987. Pp. 165, 190.
-
- CECIL TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th ed.: James B. Wyngaarden, and Lloyd H.
- Smith, Jr., Eds.: W. B. Saunders Co., 1988. P. 1819.
-
-