‘Flu-like’ hantavirus symptoms to look out for after outbreak leaves three dead | World | News
The World Health Organization said the outbreak was reported on the MV Hondius traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde.
The disease is usually linked to environmental exposure, such as contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents, but it can spread among humans and cause serious respiratory illness.
Each hantavirus depends on a different rodent host. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) can be transmitted through inhalation, consumption, or contact with rat and mouse feces, urine, or saliva.
This can occur by directly touching the animal or by touching something contaminated with its body fluids.
The incubation period usually lasts two to four days, but can vary from two days to eight weeks.
It is vital that you wash your hands thoroughly after touching mice or their environments and stay away from wild mice and rats, as well as areas where they may be found.
Always wear rubber gloves and a protective mask that covers your nose and mouth when you notice rodent droppings in your home. Never sweep up messes with a brush, as this can disperse potentially infectious particles into the air.
The initial symptoms of HPS can easily be confused with the flu.
- Fever exceeding 101F
- Shake
- muscle aches
- severe headaches
- Nausea
- stomach complaints
- Especially dry cough
- Breathing difficulties can develop quickly
Dr. PharmD from Universal Pharmacy. “HPS can be difficult to diagnose because early symptoms mimic the flu and there are no tests to diagnose HPS, so a history of exposure to rodents accompanied by fever and fatigue is a strong indicator of infection,” said Jamie Winn.
“If you are experiencing unexplained fever, body aches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, dry cough, or severe difficulty breathing, you should contact your doctor immediately. This is especially important if you plan to spend time in the southwestern United States and will be exposed to large rodent populations, nesting materials, and waste.”
There is no specific treatment for HPS, but early diagnosis and care in the intensive care unit setting can significantly increase a patient’s chances of recovery.
In some cases, antiviral medications such as ribavirin are used to combat other types of hantavirus and related infections. Although large-scale trials have not yet confirmed their effectiveness, doctors may resort to them in particularly severe cases.
Recovery is often a long process; patients often report ongoing weakness, fatigue, and decreased tolerance for physical activity.
