Mosquitoes can be quite a menace inflicting dangerous diseases among people of all ages. Malaria and Filaria are the two well-known infections that mosquitoes spread. Apart from these, mosquitoes also spread other diseases like Chikungunya, Zika virus and even the West Nile virus. Though these diseases do not spread from one person to another, they can easily affect a lot of people at a time. In this article, we will learn all about chikungunya in babies.
Though the infection stays in the body only for a few days, the chikungunya virus causes severe joint pains and fatigue that can last for several weeks even after the main symptoms subside. This characteristic makes the illness quite difficult to handle though it may not be deadly.
In This Article
- What is Chikungunya?
- Causes of Chikungunya in Babies
- Top Symptoms of Chikungunya in Babies
- How is Chikungunya in Babies Diagnosed?
- Treatment Options For Chikungunya in Babies
- How to Prevent Chikungunya in Babies?
- FAQ’s
What is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a viral infection. A virus called chikungunya infects mosquitoes and when these mosquitoes bite human beings, they inject the virus infecting the human being too. Chikungunya virus is characterized by an abrupt rise in body temperature and painful joints that may become incapacitating.
The hardest to diagnose, the most severe kind of chikungunya strikes infants the most. It is seldom lethal; symptoms include fever, aching joints, and a hunched posture. The Chikungunya virus often results in one to two weeks of joint discomfort. The mosquito species Aedes Agypti and Aedes Albopictus are to blame for the spread of this sickness.
Chikungunya is a viral illness spread to people by infected mosquitoes. It is spread by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV).
An infected individual cannot directly transfer the virus to another person. The disease spreads when a mosquito bites a person who has the virus in their blood. The mosquito might pick up the virus and transmit it to another person through its bite.
Causes of Chikungunya in Babies
A female tiger mosquito carrying the chikungunya virus bites a person causing the person to be infected with the virus. The same mosquito that spreads dengue can also transmit other illnesses such as Zika.
The daytime, particularly the early morning and late afternoon, is when this mosquito is most active. In still water, mosquitoes breed. Chikungunya spreads swiftly in heavily populated locations with many suitable breeding grounds.
[Read : How To Bring Down A Fever In Babies?]
Top Symptoms of Chikungunya in Babies
Chikungunya symptoms are not usually present, especially in babies. If symptoms do manifest, they often consist of the following
- 4 to 7 days of a high fever
- Aches and pains in the joints and muscles, along with inflation
- Skin rashes
- Reduced appetite
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Eye discomfort and exhaustion
- Conjunctivitis
- Wrist and ankle discomfort and joint immobility
- Babies with chikungunya may be fussy and cry much more than average.
Symptoms generally appear three to seven days later when infected by a mosquito bite. The symptoms usually last a few days, although joint discomfort and fatigue can continue for weeks or even months. Children are more vulnerable to Chikungunya than adults. Pre-existing medical disorders in newborns and children increase the risk of serious consequences such as brain edoema and severe bacterial infections.
How is Chikungunya in Babies Diagnosed?
The Chikungunya virus can be identified by laboratory testing. Serum or plasma tests are used to accomplish this.
The virus can be found by sampling the viral culture. It can be identified by viral RNA within the first week of sickness. Samples must be obtained within the first week of symptom onset.
To genotype and identify the virus, RT-PCR samples and enzyme-linked immunosorbent tests are two serological techniques that may be utilised.
Blood sample isolation and testing employing reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions can aid in detecting this virus by detecting antibodies in the blood associated with chikungunya’s sickness.
Treatment Options For Chikungunya in Babies
Once chikungunya in your baby is confirmed through blood tests, the pediatrician may start treatment.
They may recommend medications to reduce aches and pains such as
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
- Acetaminophen
It is never safe to self-medicate babies. Do talk to your doctor if you feel that your baby is pain and needs medications for relief. Physiotherapy may be beneficial for pains that remain for longer.
Chikungunya has no particular therapy or vaccinations available. However, the following suggestions can aid with recovery:
- The best strategy to treat chikungunya in babies is to give them lots of rest and hydration.
- Allow your baby to stay indoors for as long as possible till they recover.
- Let them drink lots of water. Continue breastfeeding if you are.
- For babies who are on solids, soups, dal ka paani and juices such as coconut water can be beneficial.
[Read : Giving Coconut Water To Babies]
How to Prevent Chikungunya in Babies?
To protect exposed skin, require your youngster to wear long-sleeved clothes and full-length trousers or bottoms. To keep him comfortable, choose light materials.
- Dress your baby in soft colours. Dark clothing draws mosquitoes’ attention. Use full sleeved clothing for your baby during mosquito season.
- Babies are particularly vulnerable since they tend to slumber in the afternoon. This makes them an easy target for these daytime mosquitoes. Take all the necessary safeguards inside and when your youngster is sleeping throughout the day.
- Use mosquito netting while sleeping, including during naps during the day.
- Install wire mesh on windows to keep mosquitoes out. To keep mosquitoes out, place door brushes on all outside doors.
- Use a mosquito repellant safe for your baby.
- Stay in air-conditioned or cool locations. Mosquitoes do not flourish in the cold. Regularly clean and replace the water in your air cooler. This will keep mosquitoes from multiplying.
Reducing the amount of mosquito breeding sites near your house can drastically reduce the mosquito population. Simple acts include:
- Emptying water from containers such as saucers under potted plants, vases, buckets, and rain gutters
- Covering water containers that cannot be emptied, such as tanks or reservoirs that provide residential water.
- Getting rid of old tires that may have been left outside
- Keeping waste in closed plastic bags and other closed containers
Chikungunya in babies can be quite troublesome, especially since they cant express aches and pains and get very cranky. With the number of chikungunya infections increasing internationally, preventative measures, including excellent cleanliness, appropriate attire, and a nutritious diet, might help manage the disease.
FAQ’s
1. How Long Does Chikungunya Fever in Babies Last?
Many people are free of further problems after one to two weeks. Others, though, can experience joint and muscular discomfort for years. This kind of arthritis is known as chronic chikungunya. At least 40% of individuals who contract the virus are affected by it.
2. Does Chikungunya in Babies Require Hospitalization?
Chikungunya-related deaths are infrequent and virtually invariably associated with other underlying health issues. Older people and people with chronic diseases (such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic renal failure, TB, and HIV) should consult a doctor for better examination and monitoring of the condition otherwise it can be treated at home.
3. Can Moms Pass the Chikungunya Virus to Their Offspring During Pregnancy or Childbirth?
Mothers with chikungunya do not pass the infection on to their offspring during pregnancy. However, there have been reported occurrences of mother-to-child transmission when the mother develops a fever in the days preceding or during delivery. A caesarean section does not prevent transmission. As a result, pregnant women with chikungunya are in danger of transmitting the disease to their babies and should visit a doctor. Chikungunya is not spread through breast milk.
4. What Social Groups Are at Risk For Chikungunya?
People with previous conditions, pregnant women, small children (infants under one year old), and older people are in danger.
Read Also: Dengue in Babies – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
