Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Complications

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is an uncommon viral disease that first presents with flu-like symptoms before rapidly getting worse. It could lead to potentially lethal lung and heart problems. The condition is also known as hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome.

Pulmonary hantavirus syndrome can be brought on by a variety of hantavirus strains. Rodents of several species carry them. Hantaviruses are typically inhaled and cause infection when they come into contact with airborne rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.

Since there are few treatment options available, the greatest protection against hantavirus pulmonary illness is to avoid contact with rats and ensure that their habitats are thoroughly cleaned up.

Causes Of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Rodents are the favored vector for all hantavirus strains. The virus is present in the rodent's urine, feces, and saliva. There exist multiple pathways by which the virus may infect you:

• The most common way that viruses spread is through inhalation, which occurs when they are released into the air from disturbed nesting materials or rodent droppings.
• Eating food contaminated by mouse feces, urine, or saliva; coming into contact with a nest or other virus-contaminated substance; getting bitten or scraped by a rodent that is infected;
• There is only one type of the virus known to pass from person to person, and that strain is found in South America and is called the Andes virus.

When hantaviruses reach the lungs, they eventually cause capillaries which are tiny blood vessels to leak. Your lungs swelling with fluid causes significant malfunction of both your heart and lungs (pulmonary edema).

Renal syndrome associated with hemorrhagic fever is another sickness caused by different strains of the hantavirus that seriously damages the kidneys. 

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Symptoms Of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Usually, a person who has contracted the hantavirus takes two to three weeks to get sick. The lung sickness caused by the hantavirus progresses in two distinct stages. The following are the most common signs and symptoms during the first stage, which might last for a few days:

• Fever and chills
• Pain in  muscles
• Headache
• Stomach pains
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

As the disease progresses, serious problems with heart and lung function, fluid buildup in the lungs, and destruction of lung tissue are possible outcomes. Some of the signs and symptoms include:

• Coughing 
• Breathing problems
• Low blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat

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Risk Factors Of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

In the United States, hantavirus pulmonary illness is most common in rural communities in the West. On the other hand, any exposure to rodent habitats increases the risk of getting sick.

Locations where one can regularly find rodent nests, urine, and droppings are as follows:

• Agricultural structures
• Structures that are rarely utilized, such as storage sheds
• Parks or transient housing
• Campsites or hiking shelters
• Building locations for attics or basements

Your risk of catching the hantavirus can increase if you engage in the following activities:

• Reopening and preserving long-abandoned buildings
• Removing garbage or rat encampments without taking the required safety precautions
• Engaging in occupations like construction, farming, pest control, or utility labour that expose oneself to more rodents

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Diagnosis Of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Blood testing can reveal whether your body has generated antibodies against a hantavirus. Your doctor may order more laboratory testing to rule out conditions with symptoms similar to yours.

Treatment Of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Particular treatment choices for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome are limited. On the other hand, the prognosis improves with early diagnosis, quick hospitalization, and adequate breathing assistance.

In an intensive care unit, severe cases necessitate emergency attention. To support breathing and help regulate lung fluid, mechanical ventilation, and intubation may be required. Intubation is the process of introducing a breathing tube through your mouth or nose into your trachea in order to help maintain open and functional airways.

A procedure known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be necessary for severe disease to help guarantee that you continue to receive enough oxygen. This entails pumping your blood through a machine constantly to provide oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide. Your body then receives the oxygenated blood again.

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Prevention Of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Preventing rats from entering your home and place of work can help reduce your risk of hantavirus infection. Try these suggestions:

• Stop from accessing: Mice can fit through openings as small as 1/4 inch (6 millimeters). To seal holes, use metal flashing, wire screening, steel wool, or cement.
• Stop the spread of food: Keep food, especially pet food, in rodent-proof containers, sweep up spills immediately, and wash dishes afterward. Attach the lids to the trash cans.
• Reducing the amount of nesting material: Clear the area close to a building's base of any rubbish, grass, and vegetation.
• Set traps: It is recommended to install baseboard traps with springs. Because the poison can harm both people and animals, exercise caution while placing poison bait traps.
• Transfer garden objects that attract rodents: Get rid of wood piles and compost within the house.
• Safe cleaning methods: Safe cleaning practices can help halt the virus's spread. Perform these actions:
• Put on a mask and rubber or plastic gloves.
• Apply a mixture of water, alcohol, or bleach and disinfectant to the nest, the rodent's droppings, or the dead rodent. Let it rest for five minutes.
• Use paper towels to clean up, and dispose of dirty towels in the garbage.
• Wipe or clean the area with a disinfectant.
• Once your hands are clean, take off the mask and gloves.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

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Complications Of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can develop quickly with potentially fatal symptoms. In cases of severe sickness, the heart may stop pumping blood to the body. Every virus strain differs in its severity. A type carried by deer mice has been known to account for 30% to 50% of fatalities.

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