Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a serious illness that starts with symptoms similar to the flu but can quickly develop into dangerous lung and heart complications.

This rare disease occurs when people breathe in virus particles from infected rodent waste. In North America, the deer mouse is the most common carrier of the virus.

Several different strains of hantavirus can cause this condition. The disease spreads when humans inhale airborne particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.

Prevention is crucial since treatment options are limited. The most effective ways to protect yourself include:

• Avoiding areas with rodent infestations
• Using proper cleaning methods when dealing with rodent habitats
• Sealing entry points to prevent rodents from entering homes
• Wearing protective gear when cleaning potentially contaminated areas

Early recognition of symptoms and seeking prompt medical care are important if exposure is suspected.

Symptoms

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome typically develops in two distinct phases. The first phase begins about 2 to 3 weeks after infection.

During this early stage, patients often experience fever with chills, muscle aches, and headaches. These flu-like symptoms may last for several days.

Some people might also have digestive problems during the initial phase. These can include feeling sick to the stomach, stomach pain, throwing up, and diarrhea.

As the illness moves into its second phase, the condition becomes more serious. The virus damages the lungs, causing fluid buildup that makes breathing difficult. Patients may develop:

• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Low blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat

These later symptoms signal that the disease is affecting both lung and heart function, which requires immediate medical attention.

When to Get Medical Help

See a doctor if you have flu-like symptoms that get worse over several days. Hantavirus symptoms can quickly become serious.

Seek emergency medical care right away if you have any trouble breathing. This condition can rapidly become life-threatening, so don’t wait to get help.

Why Hantavirus Occurs

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome affects people only in North and South America. Each type of hantavirus prefers a specific rodent host.

The deer mouse carries the virus most often in North America and Central America. Most U.S. cases happen in states west of the Mississippi River.

Other North American carriers include:

• Rice rats and cotton rats in southeastern states
• White-footed mice in northeastern states

In South America, the main carriers are rice rats and vesper mice.

How People Get Infected

The virus lives in rodent waste and body fluids. You can get infected in several ways:

• Breathing in virus particles when they become airborne from disturbed droppings or nests (most common way)
• Consuming food with mouse urine, droppings, or saliva on it
• Touching contaminated items and then touching your face
• Getting bitten or scratched by an infected rodent

The Andes virus, found in South America, is the only strain that can spread from person to person.

What Happens in Your Body

When hantaviruses reach your lungs, they attack tiny blood vessels called capillaries. These vessels begin to leak fluid into your lungs (pulmonary edema). This causes serious problems with how your lungs and heart work.

Other Hantavirus Disease

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is another illness caused by different hantavirus strains. This disease damages the kidneys severely. These virus types have different animal hosts and exist in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Risk Factors

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome occurs most often in rural areas across the western United States, but contact with any rodent habitat can raise your risk.

Common places where people may be exposed to rodent droppings, nests, and urine include:

• Farm structures
• Rarely used buildings like storage sheds
• Seasonal cabins or campers
• Hiking shelters or campsites
• Basements and attics
• Construction areas

Several activities can increase your risk of hantavirus exposure:

• Opening and cleaning buildings that have been closed for a long time
• Removing rodent droppings or nests without proper safety measures
• Working in fields that involve more rodent contact, including:
  • Construction
  • Utility work
  • Pest control
  • Farming

Complications

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can develop into a serious medical emergency. When severe, the illness can cause the heart to fail in delivering oxygen throughout the body, leading to critical health issues.

Different virus strains vary in their danger levels. The strain carried by deer mice is especially concerning, with death rates between 30% and 50% of infected people.

Preventing Rodent Problems

How to Keep Your Home Safe

Stopping rodents from entering your living space helps lower your risk of getting sick from hantavirus. Here are some helpful tips:

• Block Entry Points: Mice can fit through tiny holes (just 1/4 inch wide). Fill holes using wire mesh, steel wool, metal pieces, or cement.

• Remove Food Sources: Clean dishes right away, wipe counters and floors, and keep all food (including pet food) in containers rodents can’t open. Use garbage cans with tight lids.

• Clear Nesting Areas: Remove brush, tall grass, and junk from around your home’s foundation.

• Set Effective Traps: Place spring-loaded traps along baseboards. Be careful with poison traps as they can harm people and pets too.

• Rearrange Outdoor Items: Keep woodpiles and compost bins away from your house.

• Ventilate Unused Buildings: Before cleaning cabins, campers, or buildings you haven’t used in a while, open them up to air out first.

Safe Cleanup Procedures

When cleaning areas where rodents have been, follow these steps to protect yourself:

1. Prepare Properly: Put on a mask and rubber/plastic gloves before starting.

2. Disinfect First: Spray any nests, droppings, or dead rodents with household disinfectant or a bleach-water solution. Wait 5 minutes before touching.

3. Use Disposable Materials: Clean with paper towels and throw them in the trash immediately.

4. Disinfect the Area: Clean the entire area with a disinfectant-soaked mop or sponge.

5. Proper Glove Removal: Wash your gloved hands, then carefully remove and throw away both gloves and mask.

6. Wash Thoroughly: Clean your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.