Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is an infectious disease that can be spread by rodents. It can be life-threatening. Treatment is limited and early detection is key. It is categorized by flu-like symptoms and the best protection is by avoiding rodents.
Causes
The deer mouse is the primary carrier for the cases that appear in North America. Other rodents carry other types of hantavirus. These include the rice rat, cotton rat, and the white-tailed mouse. The virus can be on the mouse, its droppings, and its habitat. There is a higher risk in rural areas in the spring and summer months. If you work or live in an area that has a high rodent population, see your doctor if any flu-like symptoms begin.
Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
In the first stage of the condition, symptoms are fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headaches, and muscle aches. In this stage it appears to be the flu, but after three to seven days it changes. The second stage of the condition has symptoms of a cough with secretions, shortness of breath, lungs accumulating fluid, low blood pressure, and reduced heart efficiency.
Complications of the Hantavirus
Your blood pressure can drop, organs can start to fail, your lungs fill with more and more fluid making it harder to breath. There is a 30 percent mortality rate for those with the North American variety of hantavirus.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis comes from blood tests. Your blood will start to make hantavirus antibodies if you have this syndrome. There may be other lab tests to rule out other conditions, but this can be a decided factor in your diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment for the hantavirus include immediate hospitalization. There can be supportive therapy in the ICU, or intensive care unit. This can be through ventilation or intubation. They will need to try to keep you breathing. Another treatment is blood oxygenation to keep you supplied with oxygen. These are the limited treatments that are currently available for this condition.
Source: Mayo Clinic