What should you know about mosquito disease chikungunya?

The virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms may begin after the bite and can include a sudden fever, aching or swollen joints, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and sometimes a rash. Joint discomfort can continue after the fever settles. Symptoms overlap with other infections, so a clinician may consider travel history, exposure and examination before deciding whether testing is useful.

Rest, drink fluids and use a cool environment while you recover. Ask a pharmacist or clinician which fever or pain medicine is suitable, particularly if dengue is possible or you have liver, kidney or bleeding problems. Avoid further mosquito bites while unwell by using screens, covering exposed skin and applying an appropriate repellent; this reduces the chance of passing the virus to mosquitoes.

Arrange medical advice for fever after travel or mosquito exposure, severe joint pain, worsening symptoms or difficulty drinking. Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, trouble breathing, severe weakness, persistent vomiting, very little urine or unusual bleeding. Pregnancy, infancy, older age and long-term medical conditions lower the threshold for prompt assessment.

Ask whether your symptoms fit chikungunya, whether a test is appropriate, which pain relief is safe for you, and how long to avoid mosquito exposure. Bring the dates and locations of travel, the onset of fever, and a list of medicines and medical conditions.