What does fever feel like with chikungunya?

You may develop a sudden hot or flushed feeling followed by chills, headache, muscle aches and profound tiredness. Joint pain can be prominent, affecting hands, wrists, ankles, knees or other joints, with swelling or stiffness that makes walking or gripping difficult. A rash, nausea or eye discomfort may also occur. These features overlap with dengue and other infections, so fever and joint pain cannot establish chikungunya by themselves.

Tell the clinician about recent mosquito exposure, travel and the exact start of symptoms. Use a written record of fever, pain, fluids and urine output to describe the illness clearly.

Rest, drink small amounts often and avoid strenuous activity while fever and joint pain are active. Use a thermometer and note whether you are urinating normally. Seek medical advice before choosing pain or fever medicine, particularly if dengue is possible; avoid aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines unless a clinician says they are appropriate. Prevent mosquito bites so an infected mosquito is less likely to spread the virus.

Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding, faintness, confusion, breathing difficulty, very little urine or inability to drink. Get prompt advice for severe joint swelling, weakness, eye pain or a fever that is worsening rather than easing. People who are pregnant, very young, older or living with long-term conditions should seek advice early.

Could my travel and mosquito exposure fit chikungunya or another infection? Which pain relief is safest while the cause is being checked? What signs of dehydration or bleeding should prompt urgent care?