Pune News: Chikungunya Aftermath: Docs Report Neuro, Cardiovascular Complications In Patients

Pune News: Chikungunya Aftermath: Docs Report Neuro, Cardiovascular Complications In Patients
In the wake of one of the worst chikungunya outbreaks in recent times, Pune doctors have reported a surge in post-recovery complications, including neurological and cardiac issues. Infectious disease experts note that a small subset of patients who experienced neurological issues during the infection have developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), affecting peripheral nerves.
These individuals face prolonged recovery periods, with lingering lower limb weakness requiring wheelchair use. “We’re seeing a broad spectrum of post-viral complications,” said an infectious disease expert, while talking to media. “Some patients have gastrointestinal issues, severe diarrhea, and cardiac complications, including irregular heart rhythms.”
While severe complications affect less than 1% of chikungunya cases, the scale of this year’s outbreak has resulted in an unusually large number of people requiring specialized care and rehabilitation. “The challenge now is managing post-infection complications,” said infectious disease expert informed media person.
Even after clearing the initial infection, patients are experiencing persistent neurological issues, including encephalitis, requiring extended care. Patients with neurological issues are taking three to six months to recover, experiencing symptoms like tingling, numbness, and neuritis-like complications.
Another infectious disease expert, noticed that chronic symptoms, including triggered arthritis or post-viral fatigue, may last months or years he told media person that, “Advanced testing methods allow better identification and documentation of chikungunya’s various manifestations,” .
The medical community continues to monitor post-recovery complications, emphasizing the need for specialized care and rehabilitation for affected patients. Enhanced awareness and detection of chikungunya’s potential impact are crucial in managing the outbreak’s aftermath.