Hantaviruses belong to the Bunyaviridae family of viruses. Viruses in the genus Hantavirus are unique in that they are transmitted by aerosolized rodent excreta or rodent bites, whereas all other genera in the Bunyaviridae family are arthropod-borne viruses.
Syptoms
Hantavirus has an incubation time of 2–4 weeks in humans, before symptoms of infection occur. These symptoms can be split into five phases:
Febrile phase: Symptoms include fever, chills, sweaty palms, explosive diarrhea, malaise, headaches, nausea, abdominal and back pain, respiratory problems such as the ones common in the influenza virus, as well as gastro-intestinal problems. These symptoms normally occur for 3–7 days.
Hypotensive phase: This occurs when the blood platelet levels drop and symptoms can lead to tachycardia and hypoxemia. This phase can last for 2 days.
Oliguric phase: This phase lasts for 3–7 days and is characterised by the onset of renal failure and proteinuria occurs.
Diuretic phase: This is characterized by diuresis of 3–6L per day, which can last for a couple of days up to weeks.
Convalescent phase: This is normally when recovery occurs and symptoms begin to improve.
Hantavirus (cardio-)pulmonary syndrome
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the United States. Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly. Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection.
These symptoms, which are very similar to HFRS, include tachycardia and tachypnea. Such conditions can lead to a cardiopulmonary phase, where cardiovascular shock can occur, and hospitalization of the patient is required.
The patients may suffer from severe stomach pain , vomitting ,headache , rapid shallow breathing and constipation.
Diagnosis of Hantavirus Infection
Diagnosis is made and clinically supported by immunological lab tests.
Treatment of Hantavirus Infection
People who live in areas where hantavirus illnesses have occurred should take precautions to rodent-proof their homes and make outdoor areas as inhospitable to rodents as possible. People who live in areas not yet touched by hantavirus should avoid contact with rodents and be cautious about cleaning up their nests or droppings.
Public health officials emphasize that most tourist activities pose little or no risk, and that travelers need not worry about visiting areas where hantavirus has cropped up. Campers, however, should seek advice locally about avoiding native rodents.
Ribavirin, an antiviral drug, may be of some benefit. But what appears to help most is being hospitalized early, monitored carefully, and treated with life-sustaining fluids and medications that help normalize heart rate and breathing.
Prevention of Hantavirus Infection
Since infection is thought to occur by inhalation of rodent wastes (excreta), prevention is aimed toward eradication of rodents in houses and avoidance of exposure to rodent excreta in rural settings.
Syptoms
Hantavirus has an incubation time of 2–4 weeks in humans, before symptoms of infection occur. These symptoms can be split into five phases:
Febrile phase: Symptoms include fever, chills, sweaty palms, explosive diarrhea, malaise, headaches, nausea, abdominal and back pain, respiratory problems such as the ones common in the influenza virus, as well as gastro-intestinal problems. These symptoms normally occur for 3–7 days.
Hypotensive phase: This occurs when the blood platelet levels drop and symptoms can lead to tachycardia and hypoxemia. This phase can last for 2 days.
Oliguric phase: This phase lasts for 3–7 days and is characterised by the onset of renal failure and proteinuria occurs.
Diuretic phase: This is characterized by diuresis of 3–6L per day, which can last for a couple of days up to weeks.
Convalescent phase: This is normally when recovery occurs and symptoms begin to improve.
Hantavirus (cardio-)pulmonary syndrome
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the United States. Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly. Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection.
These symptoms, which are very similar to HFRS, include tachycardia and tachypnea. Such conditions can lead to a cardiopulmonary phase, where cardiovascular shock can occur, and hospitalization of the patient is required.
The patients may suffer from severe stomach pain , vomitting ,headache , rapid shallow breathing and constipation.
Diagnosis of Hantavirus Infection
Diagnosis is made and clinically supported by immunological lab tests.
Treatment of Hantavirus Infection
People who live in areas where hantavirus illnesses have occurred should take precautions to rodent-proof their homes and make outdoor areas as inhospitable to rodents as possible. People who live in areas not yet touched by hantavirus should avoid contact with rodents and be cautious about cleaning up their nests or droppings.
Public health officials emphasize that most tourist activities pose little or no risk, and that travelers need not worry about visiting areas where hantavirus has cropped up. Campers, however, should seek advice locally about avoiding native rodents.
Ribavirin, an antiviral drug, may be of some benefit. But what appears to help most is being hospitalized early, monitored carefully, and treated with life-sustaining fluids and medications that help normalize heart rate and breathing.
Prevention of Hantavirus Infection
Since infection is thought to occur by inhalation of rodent wastes (excreta), prevention is aimed toward eradication of rodents in houses and avoidance of exposure to rodent excreta in rural settings.
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