Can Mosquitoes Cause Joint Pain?
WouterHaving a mosquito bite is a common annoyance, but the bite can also be a source of disease. Mosquitoes carry viruses that can cause serious illness. Some examples of these include West Nile Virus, Malaria, and Chikungunya.
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease that can cause intense joint pain. Joint pain may be accompanied by fever and fatigue. It is more common in people older than 65 years, but it can also occur in younger people.
Chikungunya is usually mild, but it can be quite severe. A severe infection can lead to severe complications, including brain damage. Usually, symptoms of chikungunya begin 3 to 7 days after the mosquito bite. A fever is one of the main symptoms of the virus, but there may also be nausea and vomiting.
Chikungunya is caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which bites during the day. This mosquito is known to infect people in the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Chikungunya is not usually fatal, but it is not recommended to travel. People who are affected should avoid mosquito bites and take anti-inflammatory medicines to ease the pain. In addition, a mosquito repellent should be used to avoid getting infected.
Symptoms of chikungunya include joint pain, fever, fatigue, and headache. The fever usually subsides within a week of infection. The infection is usually treated with acetaminophen. If the pain persists, seek medical care.
Unlike other mosquito-borne diseases, chikungunya is not a vaccine. In fact, the vaccine for this disease is not currently available. However, there are vaccines in development. They are several years away from public availability.
