Chikungunya Virus: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Global Impact

3D illustration of Chikungunya virus particles in red blood cells

🦟 What Is Chikungunya Virus? Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes sudden onset of fever and severe joint pain. First identified in Tanzania in 1952, the name “Chikungunya” comes from the Makonde language, meaning “that which bends up,” referencing the stooped posture of sufferers from intense joint pain. It spreads through Aedes … Read more

Legionnaires’ Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment

🔍 What Is Legionnaires’ Disease? Legionnaires’ disease is a severe type of pneumonia triggered by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. It affects the lungs and can cause life-threatening respiratory complications, especially in older adults or those with weakened immune systems. First discovered after a 1976 outbreak at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia, this disease continues … Read more