Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

Description

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare infectious disease that begins with flu-like symptoms and progresses rapidly to a more serious illness. This can lead to life-threatening lung and heart problems. The disease is also called cardio-pulmonary hantavirus syndrome.

Several strains of the hantavirus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. They are made by different types of rodents. The most common carrier in North America is the deer mouse. The infection is usually caused by the inhalation of hantavirus, which have become the air of the urine, droppings, or saliva.

Because the treatment options are limited, the best protection against hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is to avoid contact with rodents and safely clean up rodent habitats.

Symptoms

The time from infection with hantavirus to the onset of the disease is usually about 2 to 3 weeks. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome progresses through two distinct stages. In the first stage, which can last for several days, the most common signs and symptoms are:

  • Fever and chills
  • Muscle aches or pain
  • Headache

Some people also experience:

  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

As the disease progresses, it can cause damage to the tissues of the lung, the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, and serious problems with the lungs and heart function. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • Cough
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Low blood pressure
  • Irregular heart rhythm

When to see a doctor

The signs and symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can worsen suddenly and can be rapidly fatal. If you have flu-like symptoms that get progressively worse over a couple of days, consult your health care provider. Seek medical attention right away if you have shortness of breath.

Causes

The rodent carriers

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a buzzing ofa disease that is only found in North and South America. Each strain of the hantavirus has preferred rodent carrier.

The deer mouse is the most common carrier of the virus in North America and Central America. In the united States, most infections occur in the united states west of the Mississippi River.

Other companies in North America include the rice, the rat, and the cotton rat in the Southeast and the white-footed mouse in the Northeast of the country. Rodent carriers in South America include the rice rat, and the eve of the mouse.

Transmission

The virus is present in the rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. You can get in contact with the virus in the following way:

  • The inhalation of virus — the most common form of transmission — when you turn on the air since disturbed rodent droppings or nesting materials
  • Eating food contaminated with the mouse saliva, urine, or droppings
  • Touch the things that are contaminated with the virus, such as a nest, and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes
  • Be bitten or scratched by an infected rodent

Person-to-person transmissionssion that the virus has only been recorded with a strain of the virus that is located in the South of the united states called the Cordillera of the virus.

Effect of the virus

When hantavirus reach the lungs, they invade the small blood vessels called capillaries, eventually causing the leak. Andour lungs fill up with fluid (pulmonary edema), which results in severe dysfunction of the lungs and the heart.

- Related diseases

Another disease caused by different strains of hantavirus is called hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which causes severe kidney ddiseases. These variants of the virus to other animals carriers in Africa, Asia and Europe.

Risk factors

In the united States, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is more common in rural areas of the West. However, any exposure to rodent habitats may increase the risk of disease.

The common sites of exposure to rodent nests, urine and feces are:

  • Farm buildings
  • Infrequently used buildings such as storage sheds
  • The campers or seasonal cabins
  • The sites of camping or hiking shelters
  • Attics, or basements
  • Construction sites

The activities that may increase the risk of exposure to hantavirus are:

  • Opening and cleaning of long buildings not used
  • The cleaning of the nests of rodents and droppings without proper precautions
  • Working in a field that increases exposure to rodents, such as withthe struction, the utility of the work, pest control and agriculture

Complications

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can quickly become life-threatening. The serious illness that can cause failure of the heart to supply oxygen to the body. Each strain of the virus of the difference in gravity. The mortality rate due to the stress carried by deer mice varies from 30% to 50%.

Prevention

To keep rodents out of your home and workplace can help reduce your risk of hantavirus infection. Try these tips:

  • To block the access. Mice can get through holes as small as 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) in width. Seal the holes with wire detection, steel wool, metal flashing or cement.
  • Close the buffet of food. Wash dishes immediately, clean the countertops and floors, and store their food, including pet food — in rodent-proof containers. Use tight fitting lids on garbage cans.
  • Reduce the nesting material. Clear weeds, grass, and trash away from a building foundation.
  • Set of traps. spring-loaded Traps should be set along the baseboards. Use extreme caution during the use of poison-bait for the traps, because the poison can cause harm to people and pets.
  • Move rodents patio suitable for items. Move the stack of wood, or compost bins away from the house.
  • Air out of the spaces of non-use. Open and air cabins, caravans or infrequent use of the buildings before the cleaning.

Safe cleaning procedures

Safe cleaning will help prevent the spread of the virus. Follow these steps:

  • Wear a mask and gloves of rubber or plastic.
  • Spray the nest, the excrement orad rodent with a household disinfectant, alcohol or the mixture of water and chlorine. Let stand for five minutes.
  • Use paper towels to clean up and dispose of towels in the trash.
  • A cloth or sponge the area with a disinfectant.
  • Wash gloved hands and dispose of the glovesnd mask.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

Diagnosis

Blood tests can reveal if your body has produced antibodies against hantavirus. The doctor may order other tests to rule out other diseases with similar symptoms.

Treatment

Specific treatment options for the hantavirus pulmonary syndrome are limited. But the prognosis improves with early recognition, immediate hospitalization and adequate support for breathing.

Supportive therapy

People with severe cases of need of immediate treatment in an intensive care unit. Intubation and mechanical ventilation may be necessary to hold the breath and help manage fluid in the lungs. Intubation involves the placement of a breathing tube through the nose or mouth to the windpipe (trachea) to help keep the airway open and in operation.

The oxygenation of the blood

Severe disease may require a treatment called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to help ensure that you keep a sufficient supply of oxygen. This involves continually pumping the blood through a machine that removes carbon dioxide and adds oxygen. The oxygenated blood is then returned to your body.

Preparing for your appointment

You can first see your family doctor. However, when you call to schedule an appointment, your health care provider may recommend emergency medical care. If you are having difficulty breathing, or known to have been exposed to rodents, seek emergency medical attention.

What you can do

Before your appointment, you can write a list of answers to the following questions:

  • What symptoms do you have? When do you start?
  • Have you recently cleaned, a seldom used room or building?
  • Have you had any recent exposure to mice or rats?
  • Do you have any other medical problems?
  • What medications and supplements do you routinely take?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions. Be ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

  • Have your signs and symptoms include flu-like discomfort, such as fever, muscle aches and fatigue?
  • Have you had gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea or vomiting?
  • Have you noticed your heart beating faster than normal?
  • Are you having difficulty breathing? If so, is it getting worse?
  • Is anyone else in your life who have similar signs or symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome