Chikungunya

Also called: Chikungunya Fever, Chikungunya Virus Disease

What Is Chikungunya?

Chikungunya is an infection that causes a sudden fever along with joint and muscle pain and swelling.

Chikungunya (chik-en-GUNE-yuh) spreads when a mosquito that has the chikungunya virus bites someone. (This is the same kind of mosquito that spreads the infections dengue fever and Zika.)

Most cases of chikungunya get better on their own, but the illness can be serious in babies and people with certain conditions, like diabetes.

There’s a chikungunya vaccine for adults but not children. So preventing mosquito bites is an important way to protect your family from infection.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Chikungunya?

Someone with chikungunya may first notice symptoms 2–10 days after a mosquito bite, such as:

• a sudden fever
• joint pain and swelling
• muscle pain
• nausea (feel sick to the stomach)
• headache
• rash
• tiredness
• red eyes

Symptoms tend to ease in about 1–2 weeks. In some cases, muscle or joint pain can be long-lasting. Sometimes the infection causes nerve, heart, or eye problems.

Chikungunya can be more serious in newborns and people with conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure.

How Do People Get Chikungunya?

Chikungunya usually spreads through mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites a person who has chikungunya, the mosquito becomes infected with it. The mosquito can then spread chikungunya to other people by biting them.

Rarely, a pregnant woman with chikungunya can pass it to the baby in the second trimester (weeks 13 through 26). The infection also can pass to the baby during birth, which can be serious.

Chikungunya isn’t likely to spread through breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding and have the infection or live in an area with cases of chikungunya, talk with your doctor.

How Is Chikungunya Diagnosed?

To diagnose chikungunya, doctors ask about symptoms and order a blood test. They'll also want to know if the person lives in or has traveled to an area where infected mosquitoes have been found, such as:

• some areas of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe
• islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans

They'll also consider the season because mosquitoes are more active in warm weather.

How Is Chikungunya Treated?

Most chikungunya infections get better on their own. Resting and drinking lots of liquids can help. Acetaminophen can ease fever and mild aches.

Avoid ibuprofen unless your doctor says it’s OK. Kids and teens should not take aspirin unless their doctor recommends it because such use is linked to a serious illness called Reye syndrome.

If muscle or joint pain lasts, talk with your doctor.

What Can Help Prevent Chikungunya?

A vaccine for chikungunya, called IXCHIQ, is available for people older than age 18. It’s usually given if someone plans to travel to an area where chikungunya is common.

In areas known to have chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases, placing mosquito netting over beds can help prevent bites.

Other ways to prevent mosquito bites:

• Keep mosquitos out of your home. Use screens on doors and windows, and fix broken screens right away. Keep unscreened doors and windows shut.
• Cover skin. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes, and socks when outdoors.
• Use an insect repellent with DEET or picaridin that's approved by the EPA. Their search tool can help you choose the right one for your family.
• Limit time outside around sunrise and sunset. That’s when mosquitoes are most active.
• Don't give mosquitoes places to breed. They lay their eggs in water, so get rid of standing water in things like buckets, empty flowerpots, trash cans, gutters, and discarded tires. Empty and clean birdbaths, dog bowls, and flower vases often.

What Else Should I Know?

Talk with your doctor if you and your family plan to travel to an area with an outbreak of chikungunya. The CDC’s website posts updates. Think about getting the chikungunya vaccine if you’re likely to be exposed to the virus or if an infection could be serious for you.