Chikungunya disease is caused by?

Appeared in: P.CHO-2019

Explanation

Chikungunya is a viral illness caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV).
CHIKV is an arbovirus, which stands for arthropod-borne virus, as it is transmitted by mosquitoes.
The virus belongs to the Alphavirus genus in the family Togaviridae.
It is transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which are also vectors for dengue and Zika.

Option A: Bacteria are prokaryotic microorganisms that cause diseases like cholera, typhoid, and tuberculosis. Chikungunya is not caused by a bacterium.
Option C: Parasites are organisms that live in or on a host, deriving nourishment at the host's expense. This broad category includes protozoa and helminths. While mosquito-borne diseases like malaria are parasitic, Chikungunya is viral.
Option D: Protozoa are a sub-group of parasites. They are single-celled eukaryotes. Diseases caused by protozoa include malaria, amoebiasis, and giardiasis. The causative agent of Chikungunya is a virus, not a protozoan.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing The question tests the knowledge of the causative agent for Chikungunya disease helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
A key nursing responsibility is the differential diagnosis between Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika, as symptoms overlap but management can differ, especially regarding the use of NSAIDs.
Patient education is a cornerstone of management, focusing on symptomatic relief (hydration, rest, paracetamol) and prevention through mosquito bite avoidance and vector control.
What if? If a patient with suspected Chikungunya also presents with bleeding gums and petechiae, the suspicion for Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever increases significantly. The nurse must prioritize monitoring vital signs for shock, check platelet counts, and strictly avoid NSAIDs.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that requires knowledge of communicable diseases.
First, identify the specific disease mentioned in the question stem: 'Chikungunya disease'.
Next, recall the classification of the causative agent for Chikungunya.
Evaluate the given options: Bacterium, Virus, Parasite, Protozoan.
Eliminate the incorrect options. You should know that diseases like cholera are bacterial, and malaria is parasitic (protozoan).
Select the correct category. Chikungunya is a well-known viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The question tests the knowledge of the causative agent for Chikungunya disease.
Stem keywords: Chikungunya disease, caused by
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE

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E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1710-1712

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 152-154

Practise the full P.CHO-2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.