Chikungunya: How It Spreads, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

What it is

Chikungunya is a virus spread by the same kinds of mosquitoes that spread dengue and Zika.

• Rarely, it passes from a pregnant parent to the newborn around the time of birth.
• It may also spread through contact with infected blood.
• Outbreaks have occurred in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Symptoms

Most people infected get symptoms, which can be severe. They usually begin 3–7 days after an infected mosquito's bite.

• Most common: fever and joint pain.
• Others: headache, muscle pain, joint swelling and rash.

Most people feel better within a week, but sometimes the joint pain lasts for months.

Higher risk of severe disease: newborns, older adults, and people with high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease.

Diagnosis and treatment

• A blood test can show whether you have chikungunya.
• There is no medicine to treat it. Plenty of fluids, rest and non-aspirin pain relievers may help you feel better.

Prevention

• Vaccine: in the U.S., there is a vaccine for adults at higher risk of infection.
• Avoid mosquito bites — to protect yourself and avoid spreading the virus:
• • use an EPA-registered insect repellent outdoors, following its instructions;
  • wear clothes that cover your arms, legs and feet;
  • stay where there is air conditioning (windows closed) or window and door screens.

Sources

Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Chikungunya," National Library of Medicine, drawing on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain.