Clinical and differential diagnosis: Dengue, chikungunya and Zika

Abstract

Vector-borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases. In the Americas, dengue, chikungunya and Zika constitute a potential epidemiological risk due to the recent increase in cases, complications, and severity. The co-circulation of the three diseases is a matter of public health interest due to the fact that they are transmitted by the same vector as well as the increase in the number of cases of microcephaly related to Zika virus, post-chikungunya chronic joint disease, and severe dengue. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to be familiar with the various clinical presentations and laboratory methods to make the differential diagnosis, start appropriate treatment, and prevent the associated complications.