HANTAVIRUS

 Basic information

description

Hantavirus (named after a place in Korea) causes an illness called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Hantavirus has probably caused people to get sick for years in the United States, but it was not known about until recent years.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Early symptoms are flu-like:
  • Chills.
  • Fever.
  • Muscle aches.
  • Headaches.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Cough.
  • General ill feeling.
  • Feeling tired; lack of energy.
  • Somewhat short of breath.
• Later symptom (frequently occurs after 1 or 2 days of improvement):
  • Extreme difficulty in breathing.

causes

Several types of mice can carry the hantavirus without getting ill. Where they nest, they leave the germs in their urine, feces (droppings), and saliva. If the nests are disturbed, the germs can get into the air as dust. When humans breathe in the air containing the germs, they can become infected. Infection may also come from a mouse bite, or from germs in food, water, or on something you touched. It may take a few days to 6 weeks for symptoms to appear once a person is exposed to the germs. The germs are not passed between humans.

risk increases with

No known risk factors.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Avoid exposure to rodent urine and feces.
• Use caution in cleaning areas where mice nests might be located.
• Keep a clean home. This includes clearing out potential nesting sites and maintaining a clean kitchen.

expected outcomes

The outcome will vary for each patient. To date, there is no treatment to stop the infection once it sets in. But steps can be taken to help control the symptoms while your body fights off the infection.

possible complications

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a serious infection, and is fatal in about 50% of cases.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• The breathing problems progress very quickly and treatment must occur in the hospital. Usually this is in an intensive care unit. Your health care provider will do a physical exam and discuss the possible exposure to rodents. A number of medical tests will be done to confirm the diagnosis.
• The main treatment is to help with any breathing problems.
• Supplemental oxygen is used to help the breathing. In severe cases, a machine may be needed to assist with the breathing.
• Blood oxygenation may be needed. The patient's blood is pumped through a machine to remove carbon dioxide and add oxygen.
• The family should maintain a hopeful outlook, and be as supportive as possible.

medications

• Your health care provider will prescribe drugs as needed to help control any bleeding and improve lung function.
• An antiviral drug (ribavirin) may be used in some cases.

activity

Resume your normal activities slowly once the symptoms are improved.

diet

May require feeding through a vein (IV) while in the hospital. Then return to a regular diet with recovery.

 notify our office if

You or a family member has symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, especially if you live in an area, or have traveled to an area, where the virus is present.

Special Notes: