Question 1

what are the tests for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Antibody: Doing acute and convalescent phase antibody testing is effective retrospectively.  Virus isolation and pcp tests are not widely available.

Question 2

what is the definition or description of: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

Accepted Answer

See below: This is a respiratory illness contracted from Deer Mice, typically out west.  This illness leads to rapid respiratory failure, ARDS and death if not treated.

Question 3

what are the symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (hps)?

Accepted Answer

Numerous : Fever, chills, malaise, and particularly shortness of breath with pulmonary congestion and sometimes bloody sputum.  All relatively non-specific and attributable to several different illnesses.

Question 4

what is the treatment for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (hps)?

Accepted Answer

HPS: There is no clear specific treatment for this syndrome.

Question 5

what is the hantavirus morbidity and mortality rate in the u.s.?

Accepted Answer

About 40% die: Morbidity rates are higher but I do not know the exact percentages, because the frequency of asymptomatic cases is not well studied.

Question 6

how likely is it that i get hantavirus if i just traveled to a developing country?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: Hantavirus is a shed by rodents and people get exposed when dust contaminated with rodent droppings is disturbed and inhaled.  In general, hantavirus infection is rare and travelers to developing countries are not considered to be a significantly increased risk.

Question 7

how can i tell if i have hantavirus, or just the flu?

Accepted Answer

Hantavirus vs FLU: They could look quite similar. Hantavirus sx's- fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headachs, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain. After 4 to 10 days – coughing &amp; shortness of breath. Hantavirus could cause Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)  or  Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Medical w/u would likely be needed. Hantavirus antibodies can help to differentiate.

Question 8

what is the definition or description of: hantavirus infection?

Accepted Answer

Hantavirus: Hantavirus is an infection spread primarily by rodents that can cause respiratory failure or hemorrhagic fever (with renal syndrome). Initial symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can include: fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches and muscular pain. 3 to 7 days later there may be trouble breathing, low blood pressure &amp; productive cough.

Question 9

are any treatments helpful for hantavirus infection?

Accepted Answer

Hantavirus: There are no known antiviral medications effective against this virus, but natural recovery from the virus is possible with supportive treatment.

Question 10

from nj,almost stepped on a dead deer mouse on walk path.my beanie fell on my shoe later,but i had to wear it to protect me.could i get hantavirus?

Accepted Answer

No: There have been NO reported cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome(HPS) in N.J.  Most cases of HPS are acquired indoors from the stirring up of dust contaminated with mouse droppings or saliva. It is much less likely to be acquired from the situation you describe.

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Doctor answers about:

Medicine for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

A member asked:

What are the tests for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (hps)?

A member asked:

What is the treatment for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (hps)?

A member asked:

What is the hantavirus morbidity and mortality rate in the u.s.?

A member asked:

How likely is it that i get hantavirus if i just traveled to a developing country?

A member asked:

How can i tell if i have hantavirus, or just the flu?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: hantavirus infection?

A member asked:

Are any treatments helpful for hantavirus infection?

A member asked:

From nj,almost stepped on a dead deer mouse on walk path.my beanie fell on my shoe later,but i had to wear it to protect me.could i get hantavirus?

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