Chikungunya: Implications for Osteomioarticular System and Functionality

Abstract

Chikungunya is an arboviral disease transmitted primarily by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes (A. aegypti y A. albopictus) that carry the virus. Symptoms develop after an incubation period of 2 to 12 days and generally begin with a clinical presentation characterized by sudden, very high fever, severe joint pain, headache, and skin rash, among other symptoms. Although the acute phase of the disease may be limited to approximately two weeks, symptoms can progress to a subacute or even chronic phase, during which articular manifestations and fatigue persist. The objective of this study was to illustrate, through medical imaging, the implications of the Chikungunya virus on the osteomioarticular system, with a specific focus on inflammatory and functional manifestations. The joint pain and inflammation caused by Chikungunya have significantly impacted on patients' functional status, limiting their mobility and ability to perform daily tasks, thereby affecting their quality of life.