Hantavirus — What It Is: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Science and data reviewer
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Hantavirus is not one virus — it's a whole family. There are more than twenty species. Each causes its own form of disease. Rodents carry the infection — mice, voles, rats. For them the virus is harmless. For humans — deadly dangerous.
Infection happens like this: a person inhales dust. In that dust — particles of urine, saliva, or droppings from sick rodents. Less often — the virus gets in through contaminated food or water. Even more rarely — through skin wounds.
Human-to-human transmission almost doesn't happen. Exception — the Andes strain in South America. There are documented cases of infection during prolonged contact with a sick person.
Two Disease Types — Where and How They Manifest
There are two main disease types in the world. They differ in which organ is affected most.
| Disease Type | Where Found | Main Organ | Mortality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) | Americas | Lungs, heart | Up to 40% |
| Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) | Europe, Asia | Kidneys | Up to 15% |
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is the most dangerous. The virus attacks lungs and heart. Fluid fills the lungs. Person suffocates. Mortality reaches forty percent.
Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome is the predominant form in Russia. It's called "mouse fever". Kidneys stop working. Toxins poison the body. Mortality is lower but still reaches fifteen percent.
First Symptoms — How to Recognize the Disease
First signs don't appear immediately. Incubation period — one to four weeks. The person is already infected but feels healthy.
Then fever begins. Temperature suddenly rises to 38–40°C. Severe headache appears. Muscles and joints ache. Chills set in. Nausea kicks in.
Doctors call this period prodromal. It lasts three to five days. Symptoms resemble ordinary flu. That's why many don't see a doctor. This is the main mistake.
Dangerous Signs — When to See a Doctor Urgently
Then — disease development. It depends on the form.
With pulmonary form, condition worsens rapidly. Dry cough appears. Breathing becomes harder. Lung edema begins. Without mechanical ventilation, the patient can die.
With renal form, the main symptom is reduced urine. Lower back twists so badly you can't straighten up. Kidneys stop functioning. Acute kidney failure develops. In severe cases, hemodialysis is needed.
There are other dangerous signs:
- Hemorrhages in eye whites
- Nosebleeds
- Rash on skin as dots or stripes
- Blood pressure dropping to critical levels
- Blood clotting disorders
Treatment — What Doctors Do
Treatment that kills the virus doesn't exist. Doctors fight symptoms. Support organ function. Perform detox.
With respiratory failure, they connect to mechanical ventilation. With kidney failure, they do hemodialysis. They administer antiviral drugs and interferons.
Timely help in a hospital is the main chance for survival. Self-treatment is deadly dangerous. If condition worsens sharply — call an ambulance.
Prevention — How to Protect Yourself
Prevention isn't complicated. Main thing — don't let rodents into your home.
- Seal all cracks and holes with metal mesh
- Store products in sealed containers
- Don't leave food on tables and floors
- Take out garbage regularly
If rodents were in the room:
- Ventilate at least 30 minutes before cleaning
- Wear respirator and gloves
- Moisten surfaces before wiping
- Don't sweep dry dust — only wet cleaning
- Use chlorine-containing products
In nature, be careful too. Don't eat products that lay open for long. Don't drink water from springs or wells without boiling. Sleep in tents, not under the open sky. After hiking — wash hands thoroughly.
Infection can go unnoticed. But if fever rises several weeks after contact with rodents — see a doctor immediately. Tell about possible contact. This will help diagnose in time.