What is the chikungunya virus?
Chikungunya (say "chick-un-GOON-ya") is a viral infection spread to humans by mosquitoes.
You're more likely to get this infection if you travel to parts of the world where it's more common. This includes parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia, and islands in the Indian and Pacific oceans. More recently, it has also been found in the Caribbean and the Americas.
Travelers can spread this infection. They may go on a trip and get bitten by a mosquito that has the virus. Then they get sick and come home. And if they are bitten again, they can spread the virus to mosquitoes in their home areas.
The virus isnot spread from person to person and is not spread through coughing or sneezing.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms are very painful joints and a fever. The joint pain is often in the hands and feet. Symptoms usually start within a week after the bite.
Some people also have a headache, muscle pain, swollen joints, or a rash.
How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and any recent travel. The doctor may order a blood test to confirm that you have chikungunya.
How is chikungunya treated?
Chikungunya usually goes away on its own after about a week.
Treating your symptoms may help you feel better.
- Take medicine to reduce the pain and fever. Over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve), usually help.
- Get extra rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
If your pain is very bad, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain medicine. A few people have joint pain that lasts for months or even years. If your pain continues, your doctor may prescribe different medicines or refer you to physical therapy.
How can you help prevent it?
Before you travel, you can talk to your doctor about whether the chikungunya vaccine is right for you.
You can do things to help protect yourself from mosquito bites when you travel.
- Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Some outdoor-clothing stores sell clothing already treated with insect repellent.
- Use insect repellents recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Use one with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, paramenthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. You can get repellents in different strengths. Read and follow all instructions on the label, especially for how to use them on children.
- Spray clothing with DEET. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. (Remember that DEET can damage plastic, such as watch crystals, eyeglass frames, and some synthetic fabrics.)
- Sleep under bed nets (mosquito netting).
- Use flying-insect spray indoors around sleeping areas.
To learn more
The most current information about chikungunya is available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). If you are planning international travel, you can learn about the risk of chikungunya in the area you're traveling to by:
- Visiting the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/chikungunya or by calling their toll-free phone number (1-800-232-4636).
- Contacting your doctor or local health department.