Neurological consequences in a patient with chikungunya are rare, but possible. The health authorities report on the main problems.
The usual symptoms of chikungunya are: fever, skin rash, severe arthralgias (intense joint pain) and gastrointestinal disorders.
In addition, the signs usually disappear in two weeks, but many of the cases can leave chronic rheumatic problems.
As to the neurological, it is rare to see reactions, sAccording to the Ministry of Health, however, the probabilities exist and have increased in the last decade worldwide, mainly in severe cases.
encephalitis and peripheral neuropathies among them, Guillain-Barré syndrome, can appear.
Related note: Warning signs of chikungunya that indicate urgent medical attention
In the case of encephalitis, it is described in the first days of the infection, in the acute phase. It manifests with altered consciousness, seizures, and focal motor disturbances. They were detected more frequently in children under one year of age and over 65.
On the other hand, the Myelopathy and myeloradiculopathy occur in 5 to 15% of patients with chikungunya infection and have a later onset because they are post-infectious or immunologically mediated conditions.
Regarding Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), it occurs after multiple infections mainly viral. A considerable increase was seen in the chukungunya.
Also read: Almost 3,000 cases of chikungunya reported in the last three weeks
Cognitive and psychiatric disorders were also observed as possible sequelae one year after CHIKV infection, but there is no evidence due to lack of long-term follow-up.
