Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
What is Hantavirus
Hantavirus was recognized first in the early 1950s. Rodents are the primary anchors of hantaviruses. It affects humans only by the inhalation of viral particles from the rodent excreta.
How is Hantavirus transmitted?
The Hantavirus can only get transmitted from rodents to humans according to the United States CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and not through humans to humans.
How to prevent yourself from Hantavirus?
If you have been exposed to rodent and have symptoms like deep muscle aches, fever and breathing difficulty please do visit your doctor immediately. Also, don’t forget to mention to your physician that you have been around rodents for the doctor to check for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome.
Causes of Hantavirus
If you have been exposed to rodent and have symptoms like deep muscle aches, fever and breathing difficulty please do visit your physician immediately. The two serious illnesses caused due to the spillover of these viruses leads to
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
- Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)
Also, don’t forget to mention to your physician that you have been around rodents for the doctor to check for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome.
What are the Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)?
- Dry Cough
- Rapidly increasing dyspnea on Chest radiography
- Breathing difficulty
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Fever greater than 101 Degree Fahrenheit
- Body aches and headaches
What are the Symptoms of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)?
- Sudden Fever
- Hemorrhage
- Inflammatory symptoms of the Eye
- Acute Myopia
- Prostration
- Myalgia
- Abdominal Discomfort
- Varying degrees of acute Renal failure
How is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in the early stages in an individual are difficult as the early symptoms are very similar to confused with influenza (such as fever, muscle aches, and fatigue). If the patient is experiencing shortness of breath along with fever and fatigue history would be taken for treatment for HPS and the patient should be checked for Rodent’s exposure.
How is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) Treated?
There is no specific vaccine or treatment or cure for hantavirus infection. However, if the individuals are diagnosed early can be treated in ICU with the oxygen therapy for treating their respiratory distress.
Supportive care for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome:
- Mechanical Ventilation Care: Using healthcare equipment to move air in and out of the lungs when a person finds difficult to breathe on their own.
- Oxygen Therapy: Providing extra oxygen to the person who finds it difficult to breathe on their own
- Supportive Intensive Care Unit: Supportive IC provided in a specialized hospital unit that can deliver medications to support blood pressure and manage breathing equipment.