What causes chikungunya fever?

A mosquito becomes infected after feeding on a person who has virus in their blood, then can pass the virus during a later bite. This explains why bite prevention matters when someone is ill. Chikungunya commonly brings fever with marked joint pain, stiffness, muscle aches, headache, rash or fatigue. The cause of a particular fever cannot be identified from one symptom alone; dengue and other infections can overlap in their early features. A clinician uses your examination and exposure history, and may use testing, to assess the cause.

If you may have chikungunya, rest and maintain fluid intake while arranging medical advice when symptoms are significant. Avoid strenuous activity during fever or severe aching. Use mosquito repellent, covering clothing, window screens and a bed net to reduce bites. Do not start or combine pain medicines without checking the label or a clinician, especially if another mosquito-borne illness is possible. A GP Consultation can help review symptoms, medicines and whether testing is useful.

Seek urgent care for breathing problems, fainting, confusion, unusual bleeding, repeated vomiting, inability to drink or severe weakness. Arrange prompt assessment for persistent fever, worsening joint swelling or pain that interferes with walking, sleep or basic tasks. People who are pregnant, very young, older or living with chronic disease may need advice sooner. Share the timing of symptoms and any mosquito exposure with the healthcare team.

Ask how the illness may have been acquired, whether another infection needs exclusion, which treatments suit you, and how long to continue mosquito-bite precautions.