What should pregnant women know about Chikungunya virus?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause high fever and severe joint pain in pregnant women. While most cases resolve on their own, infection during pregnancy—especially near delivery—may pose risks to the baby, including mother-to-child transmission and complications for newborns. Pregnant women experiencing fever, joint pain, rash, or muscle aches after possible mosquito exposure should seek medical evaluation promptly.

Because Chikungunya symptoms overlap with other conditions like dengue, Zika, and the flu, it can be difficult to know what's really going on. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you quickly assess your symptoms, understand possible causes, and decide on the right next steps for you and your baby—all in just a few minutes, from the comfort of home.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover if chikungunya could explain symptoms Learn if your symptoms need care today Find likely causes of fever and joint pain See OTC relief for chikungunya symptoms Find a doctor for mosquito-borne illness Discover home remedies for fever and aches Understand if symptoms need urgent evaluation

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Explanation

Chikungunya virus is an illness that pregnant women need to be cautious about. It can cause symptoms like fever and joint pain, which can be uncomfortable. Here are some important points:

Symptoms: The main signs of Chikungunya are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms can include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.
Pregnancy Concerns: While the study does not provide detailed outcomes, it suggests that infections like Chikungunya during pregnancy could have effects on both the mother and the baby.
Prevention: Pregnant women should try to avoid mosquito bites, as the virus is spread by mosquitoes. Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in places with screens or air conditioning.
Consult Healthcare Providers: If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you can use a free symptom checker to help identify what might be causing them before speaking with your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and care.
Understanding these points can help pregnant women take steps to protect themselves and their babies from Chikungunya virus.

(References)

Vouga M, Chiu YC, Pomar L, de Meyer SV, Masmejan S, Genton B, et al. (2019). Dengue, Zika and chikungunya during pregnancy: pre. Journal of travel medicine, 31616923.

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