ABSTRACT
Chikungunya fever; an emerging mosquito-borne viral disease; has affected Mauritius with two recent outbreaks in 2005 and 2006 respectively. A study was carried out in 2007 to describe the clinical complications post-Chikungunya infection. Ethical clearance was obtained for this study. Data collection was carried out in February and March 2007 on a sample of people who had suffered from Chikungunya fever by means of a comprehensive questionnaire. Participants comprised 77 people; there were 41 males and 36 females. Participants ranged from 6 to 69 years. 70 participants experienced persisting joint pains for at least 6 months following the acute phase. Of these; 35 had residual joint complaints after 6 months. 44 participants suffered from psychological sequelae. 10 participants had dermatological sequelae; 6 had iatrogenic complications due to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastritis; and 3 participants with serologically confirmed Chikungunya fever had neurological manifestations and changes on CT/MRI which could correspond to demyelination. Statistical analysis demonstrated that there was a weak linear relationship between the number of complications and increasing age; there was a significant difference in the number of complications according to gender; females being more affected than males; participants with co-morbidities had more complications and psychological sequelae than previously healthy participants. This study highlights that Chikungunya fever; which causes a significant impact on health in the acute phase; can have significant sequelae months afterwards and this includes psychological sequelae
Subject(s)
Chikungunya Fever , Fever/complications , Neurologic Manifestations , Skin ManifestationsABSTRACT
La fievre est un signe d'appel en pathologie infantile; cause d'anxiete pour les parents; elle est a l'origine d'un grand nombre de consultations dans les salles d'urgence. Il est classique de considerer comme fievre au long cours chez l'enfant; tout etat febrile durant depuis plus de trois semaines (et qui peut revetir les types les plus divers). Le souci majeur ici sera avant tout etiologique: recueillir tous les elements pour reconnaitre une etiologie; un traitement symptomatique est toujours indique alors que le traitement etiologique peut; sauf cas exceptionnel; attendre le lendemain