Chikungunya: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Chikungunya?
A primary care doctor, a family doctor, or a pediatrician (a children's doctor) usually diagnoses chikungunya. An infectious disease doctor (a doctor who treats infections) may help with bad or lasting symptoms. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a disease caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes. The name is an African word that means bent over in pain. The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain. Outbreaks have happened in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually begin 3 to 7 days after an infected mosquito bites you. Most people who get it have symptoms. The most common ones are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms can include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.
Most people feel better within a week. However, joint pain can be severe and disabling and might persist for months. Death from chikungunya is rare, but the disease can lead to death in older adults.
Causes and who gets it
Chikungunya spreads through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The mosquitoes that spread chikungunya are the same type that spread dengue fever. These mosquitoes most often bite during the day. During the first week of illness, a sick person can pass the virus to uninfected mosquitoes.
Some people have a higher risk of severe illness. This includes newborns infected around the time of birth. It also includes adults 65 years and older, and people with conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.
How doctors diagnose it
Tell your health care provider if you get symptoms after travel to an area with the virus. Your provider may do a blood test to check for the disease. The provider can also test for similar viruses, like dengue and Zika.
Treatment
There are no medicines available to treat chikungunya. Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medicines can relieve some symptoms. Take acetaminophen or paracetamol for fever and pain.
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen until dengue has been ruled out. These medicines can raise the risk of bleeding.
When to see a doctor
Call your health care provider if you get symptoms of chikungunya. Tell your provider if you recently traveled to an area with the virus. Joint pain can become severe and disabling, so tell your provider if it does. Newborns, adults 65 years and older, and people with conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease are at higher risk of severe illness. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, confusion, or bleeding that will not stop.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. For chikungunya, this doctor can do an evaluation, watch for lasting joint pain, and refer you to a specialist when needed.
Common questions
How do you catch chikungunya?
You catch it from the bite of an infected mosquito. The same type of mosquito spreads dengue fever. It most often bites during the day. During the first week of illness, you can pass the virus to uninfected mosquitoes.
How long does chikungunya last?
Most people feel better within a week. However, joint pain can be severe and disabling and might persist for months.
Is there a vaccine for chikungunya?
Yes. Vaccination is recommended for some travelers. The best way to prevent chikungunya is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
How can you prevent mosquito bites?
Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol. When it is not too hot, cover up with long sleeves and long pants. Remove standing water from buckets, flower pots, and birdbaths. If you sleep outside, sleep under a mosquito net.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - About Chikungunya Virus
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Symptoms of Chikungunya
- MedlinePlus - Chikungunya virus
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
