Chikungunya Fever

WHAT IS IT?

Chikungunya fever is a viral infection. 

WHAT CAUSES IT?

The Aedes mosquito carries this virus and can infect the host with it. 

WHY IS IT CONCERNING MEDICALLY?

WHAT IS THE INTIAL PRESENTATION?

Patient Chief Complaints:

• Fever 
• Malaise
• Joint pain (polyarthralgias)
• Rash

Detected Medical Problems:

• Thrombocytopenia 
• Lymphopenia 
• Elevated liver enzymes 

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY?

Risk Factors:

• Recent travel to endemic region: Central/South America, tropical regions of Africa, South Asia 

Medical History:

• Incubation period (between exposure and onset of symptoms) is about 3-7 days. 
• Symptoms of infection can include: headaches, myalgias, rash, rash

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE PHYSICAL EXAM?

Vital Signs:

• Fever is often present 

Dermatological Exam:

• Maculopapular rash can be present 

Musculoskeletal Exam:

• Swollen/tender joints can be appreciated bilaterally on the hand/wrist/ankle joints

CLINICAL WORKUP: SERUM STUDIES

Complete Blood Count can reveal:

• Thrombocytopenia
• Lymphopenia 

Liver Function Tests (LFTs) can reveal elevated liver enzymes .

CLINICAL WORKUP: IMAGING

CLINICAL WORKUP: OTHER

HOW DO WE NARROW THE DIFFERENTIAL?

Conditions that present similarly and how to exclude them:

WHAT IS OUR THRESHOLD FOR DIAGNOSING THIS CONDITION?

PATIENT MANAGMENT: SYMPTOM RELEIF

Supportive Measures are used to treat this condition. 

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES

COULD THIS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED?

ARCHIVE OF STANDARDIZED EXAM QUESTIONS 

This archive compiles standardized exam questions that relate to this topic.

Page Updated: 02.19.2017