Development and Application of Treatment for Chikungunya Fever

Abstract

The development and application of treatment for Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) remains complicated as there is no current standard treatment and many barriers to research exist. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes serious global health implications due to its socioeconomic impact and high morbidity rates. In research, treatment through natural and pharmaceutical techniques is being evaluated for their efficacy and effectiveness. Natural treatment options, such as homeopathy and physiotherapy, give patients a variety of options for how to best manage acute and chronic symptoms. Some of the most used pharmaceutical therapies for CHIKV include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), methotrexate (MTX), chloroquine, and ribavirin. Currently, there is no commercially available vaccine for chikungunya, but vaccine development is crucial for this virus. Potential treatments need further research until they can become a standard part of treatment. The barriers to research for this complicated virus create challenges in the efficacy and equitability of its research. The rising need for increased research to fully understand chikungunya in order to develop more effective treatment options is vital in protecting endemic populations globally.