Hantavirus Infection

What is Hantavirus Infection

Hantavirus infection is a disease that is caused by a virus. The virus is found in rodents. This virus can be passed from infected rodents to humans through rodent urine, feces, and saliva. The virus is not spread person to person.

There are different types of infection, depending on where you live. In North America, the most common type of infection affects the lungs (hantavirus pulmonary syndrome). This infection causes fluid to build up in the lungs and can make it very hard to breathe. In other parts of the world, the infection affects the kidneys and causes bleeding (hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome). Both of these infections may be life-threatening and should be treated urgently.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by a virus. The virus is passed to humans by breathing in or eating urine, feces, or saliva from an infected rodent. This can happen from:

  • Breathing in particles from rodent droppings when cleaning.
  • Breathing in virus particles when hiking and camping in rodent-infested areas.
  • Touching a rodent, alive or dead, and then touching your nose or mouth.
  • Touching surfaces covered with the virus and then touching your nose or mouth.
  • Being bitten by an infected rodent.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop in people who:

  • Live in western and central parts of the U.S.
  • Live or camp in rural areas near forests, farms, or fields.
  • Have barns or sheds.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms typically begin about 2 weeks after exposure to the virus.

Early symptoms

Early symptoms come on suddenly and may include:

  • Chills.
  • Fatigue.
  • Sudden fever.
  • Muscle aches.
  • Headache.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.

Late symptoms

Later symptoms that involve the lungs may start 4–14 days after early symptoms. These symptoms include:

  • Trouble breathing.
  • Coughing.

Later symptoms of kidney or bleeding problems also develop after a couple of weeks. These include:

  • Nosebleed.
  • Bloody stools.
  • Bloody urine.
  • Red rash.
  • Dizziness and weakness.
  • Bruising.
  • Kidney failure. This can progress to the point where you will not be able to make urine.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on:

  • Your medical history.
  • A physical exam.
  • Blood tests.
  • Chest X-rays.
  • Testing of your urine (urinalysis).
  • Ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram).

How is this treated?

There is no cure for this condition, but treatment can help manage your symptoms and side effects. You may get this treatment in a hospital. Treatment may include:

  • IV fluids.
  • Oxygen.
  • Breathing assistance.
  • Medicines to raise blood pressure.
  • Using an artificial kidney (dialysis) if you have kidney failure.
  • IV ribavirin. This is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.

Follow these instructions at home:

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

  • Avoid contact with rodents.
  • Call an exterminator or set traps if you have rodents in your home.
  • Do not leave garbage or food out at home or when camping.
  • Seal holes in the exterior of your home to keep rodents out.
  • Disinfect areas where rodent droppings are found. Wear disposable gloves and a mask when cleaning these areas.
  • Do not sweep or vacuum areas where rodent droppings are found. To clean the affected areas:
    • Thoroughly wet the areas with a solution that destroys viruses and bacteria (disinfectant) such as bleach.
    • Wipe the areas with a rag or paper towel.
    • Dispose of droppings, dead rodents, and cleaning materials in a sealed plastic bag.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterward.

Contact a health care provider if you:

  • Have a fever.
  • Have symptoms that get worse.
  • Develop new symptoms, such as:
    • A bloody nose.
    • Blood in your urine or stool.
    • A rash.
    • Bruises.
    • Dizziness.
    • Weakness.

Get help right away if:

  • You have trouble breathing.
  • Your body is not producing urine.

Summary

  • Hantavirus infection is a disease that is caused by a virus. The virus is found in rodents and is spread to humans through rodent urine, feces, and saliva.
  • In North America, the most common type of hantavirus infection affects the lungs (hantavirus pulmonary syndrome). It causes fluid to build up in the lungs and can make it very hard to breathe.
  • In other parts of the world, the infection affects the kidneys and causes bleeding (hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome).
  • There is no cure for this condition, but treatment can help manage your symptoms and side effects. You may get this treatment in a hospital.
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