Hantavirus: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Why in the news
The death of Betsy Hackman, wife of actor Gene Hackman, turned attention to hantavirus, a rare but serious infection.
Key facts
- Hantaviruses are a virus family; the CDC links them to HPS (severe lung illness) and HFRS (internal bleeding and kidney failure).
- Carriers: deer mice, white-footed mice, rice rats, cotton rats.
- Spread: breathing in dust stirred up from rodent urine, droppings or saliva; touching infected rodents or nests; rarely, a rodent bite.
- Incubation: 1-8 weeks.
- Early signs resemble flu: fever, muscle aches, fatigue. Later: breathlessness, chest tightness, fluid in lungs; HFRS can bring kidney failure and bleeding.
Risk groups
- Farmers, campers, construction workers and homeowners in rodent-infested places.
- Children under five, pregnant women and immunocompromised people should not handle pet rodents.
Treatment and prevention
| Area | Approach |
|---|---|
| Treatment | No antiviral; supportive care with oxygen, ventilation and intensive care |
| Rodent control | Seal entry points, remove infestations |
| Sanitation | Do not sweep; disinfect with bleach solution |
| Protection | Gloves and masks while cleaning |
Exam angle
- Reservoir: rodents; Forms: HPS and HFRS.
- Incubation: 1-8 weeks.
- No specific cure; care is supportive.