Bitten By Mosquito?

Know the causes, symptoms and prevention of chikungunya – the viral disease currently giving Indians a harrowing time.

- Aishwarya P Vaidya

According to National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), around 12,255 cases of chikungunya have been reported across India till August 31, 2016. Karnataka alone has recorded 8,941 cases, Delhi 1,000, Maharashtra 839 and Andhra Pradesh 492.

Chikungunya is a virus transmitted by the Aedes mosquito causing sudden on set of fever and severe joint pain.

Dr Vasant Nagvekar, Internal Medicine Consultant, SRV Hospital, Mumbai, decodes it further for you…

Causes & Symptoms

The virus causes a febrile (feverish) illness in the majority of people with an incubation period of two-four days from the mosquito bite. It can go up to 12 days in some. Viremia (the presence of viruses in the blood) persists for up to five days from the clinical onset.