chikungunya encephalitis

chikungunya encephalitis

[chik′əngun′yə]

Etymology: Swahili, that which bends up; Gk, enkephalos, brain, itis, inflammation

a togavirus infection characterized by a high fever that begins abruptly, muscle aches, a rash, and pain in the joints. It is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito and occurs mainly in Africa, in Asia, and on some of the Pacific islands, including Guam. The fever may last for a week, then rise again after a remission of several days. Pain in the joints may continue after other symptoms have ceased. Supportive nursing care and symptomatic relief are the only treatments. The disease is almost always self-limiting and rarely fatal.