Definition Hantavirus (han-tah-vie-rus) pulmonary syndrome is a very severe lung infection caused by hantavirus.
What is going on in the body? Hantaviruses and related viruses cause this syndrome and other illnesses. The viruses can be found in much of the world, including most areas of the US, Canada, and South America. Most hantavirus infections in the US occur in the Southwest.
The most common hantavirus in the US is the Sin Nombre (nom-bray) virus, which is found in deer mice. It is spread to humans by contact with rodents and their droppings. Sin Nombre virus disease in humans is linked to increases in rodent populations.
What are the signs and symptoms of the infection? The infection may seem like influenza, or the flu, at first. It begins with fever, mild cough, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. But the illness worsens quickly and leads to respiratory failure and shock, including a severe drop in blood pressure. Mechanical ventilation, which is a machine used to aid breathing, may be needed. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome has a high mortality rate.
What are the causes and risks of the infection? The infection is spread by close contact with infected rodents and their droppings.
What can be done to prevent the infection? Rodents and their droppings should be avoided.
How is the infection diagnosed? The diagnosis is made by finding antibodies, chemicals produced by the body to fight germs and other foreign substances, to the viruses in the blood of the infected person.
What are the long-term effects of the infection? Death is not uncommon after diagnosis of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
What are the risks to others? Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is not spread from person to person. Other infections caused by hantavirus can be spread in this way.
What are the treatments for the infection?
The antiviral drug ribavirin is used, but it is uncertain at this time how effective ribavirin is in improving symptoms of the syndrome. Clinical studies are underway to test its effectiveness.
Intensive medical support, such as using a machine to aid breathing, is very important in the treatment of infected individuals.
What are the side effects of the treatments? The most common side effect of ribavirin is anemia, in which there are not enough red cells in the blood.
What happens after treatment for the infection?
How is the infection monitored?
Author: Danielle Zerr, MD Reviewer: William M. Boggs, MD Last Updated: 02/22/00 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
