Chikungunya is a viral disease that spreads through mosquito bites. Symptoms usually appear 3-7 days after an infected mosquito bites a person. Most people infected with chikungunya virus will develop some symptoms, which may include:

• Fever
• Joint pain (most common symptom)
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Joint swelling
• Rash
• Fatigue
• Nausea

The fever usually begins suddenly, and the joint pain can be severe and debilitating, lasting for weeks, months, or even years. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. People at risk for more severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults (≥65 years), and people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. Most patients feel better within a week, but joint pain can persist for months. Death from chikungunya is rare.

If you have visited an area where chikungunya virus is found and have symptoms described above, you should see your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider might order blood tests to look for chikungunya or other similar viruses like dengue and Zika. There is currently no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection. Treatment focuses on managing your symptoms, and most people recover from the illness in about one week, but some have lasting joint pain.