Yuzvendra Chahal Diagnosed With Dengue and Chikungunya: Here are the Key Differences and Tips To Prevent It

Yuzvendra Chahal, India's seasoned leg-spinner with over 200 international wickets, has been sidelined by a double whammy: dengue and chikungunya. The 35-year-old revealed his diagnosis on December 18, 2025, explaining why he missed Haryana's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final against Jharkhand in Pune. 

Last playing on November 30, Chahal's bout hit hard during domestic crunch time. Both mosquito-borne viruses are surging in India this season, especially post-monsoon. Read ahead to know about the key differences between the two and how you can prevent yourself. 

Chahal Shares Health Update on Social Media

Wishing my team Haryana all the very best for the SMAT finals. I wished to be a part of the team but unfortunately I am down with dengue and chikungunya, which have really taken a toll on my health.
The doctors have asked to focus only on rest and recovery.
I’ll be back to the…

— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) December 18, 2025

Following the diagnosis, Yuzvendra Chahal took to X (formerly Twitter) to update fans about his health. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the news while cheering his team. "Wishing my team Haryana all the very best for the SMAT finals. I wished to be a part of the team, but unfortunately I am down with dengue and chikungunya, which have really taken a toll on my health. The doctors have asked me to focus only on rest and recovery. I’ll be back on the field and bowling at my full strength soon," he posted. Haryana lost by 69 runs without him, but his message sparked support from fans and cricketers alike.

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Dengue vs Chikungunya

In one of our previous articles, Dr Bhavani Prasad Gudavalli, Head of the Department of Critical Care, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, explained the differences between them. 

Both Aedes bites, but punches differ. Dengue slams with sudden 104°F fever, "breakbone" aches, rash post-fever, and nausea. Chikungunya is associated with fierce joint pain lasting months, fever, early rash, and less vomiting.

According to her, 

• Fever: Dengue sudden/high; chikungunya short burst.
• Pain: Dengue body-wide; chikungunya joints cripple long-term.
• Rash: Both common, dengue later.
• Danger: Dengue risks bleeding/shock; chikungunya chronic aches

What Does It Mean to Have Dengue and Chikungunya Together?

Co-infection with dengue and chikungunya, though uncommon, is possible. According to the expert, in such cases, symptoms like fever, fatigue, and joint pain may be more intense, and recovery can take longer.

Doctors closely monitor patients for:

• Persistent joint pain
• Dehydration
• Platelet count changes
• Prolonged weakness
• Early diagnosis and proper medical care play a key role in recovery.

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Conclusion

Yuzvendra Chahal’s health update is a reminder that mosquito-borne diseases can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Early symptoms should not be ignored, especially during monsoon season. Awareness, timely medical attention, and preventive measures can go a long way in reducing complications and ensuring faster recovery.