Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

Hantavirus Pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is an infectious disease characterized by flu-like symptoms that can quickly develop into life-threatening respiratory problems. It is a serious, sometimes fatal, respiratory disease in humans caused by hantavirus infection.

Different types of hantavirus can cause hantavirus lung syndrome. They are transported by different types of rodents, in particular deer mice. You first get infected by breathing air infected with hantaviruses that disperse in rodents and excrements.

Anyone who comes into contact with rodents carrying hantavirus is likely to have HPS. Rodent infestation in and around the home remains the primary risk of exposure to hantavirus. Healthy people are also at risk of HPS infection if exposed to the virus.

Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Pulmonary Hantavirus syndrome proceeds through two distinct stages. In the first stage, you may experience flu-like signs and symptoms which can include:

• Fever and chills
• Headache, abdominal pain and muscle pain especially in large muscle groups - thighs, hips, back and sometimes shoulders.
• Vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain

During its early stages, it is hard to differentiate from flu, pneumonia or other viral conditions. After 4-10 days, the most severe signs and symptoms begin. These usually include:

• A cough that produces secretions
• Shortness of breath
• The fluid that accumulates in the lungs
• Low blood pressure
• Low cardiac efficiency

Causes

Each type of hantavirus has a rodent carrier of choice. In North America, deer mouse is the major carrier of virus that is responsible for majority cases of hantavirus lung syndrome. Other hantavirus vectors include white tail mouse, cotton rat and rice rat.

Inhalation: The Main Route of Transmission

Hawaiians transmit viruses to humans primarily by pouring aerosol viruses into infected rodents, urine or saliva. Aerosols occur when a virus is released into the air, allowing it to breathe easily. For example, a broom used to clean rat droppings in a attic can throw hantavirus-containing stools into the air, which you can easily inhale.

After inhaling antivirals, they reach the lungs and begin to invade small blood vessels called capillaries, which eventually escapes. The lungs are then filled with fluid, which can trigger any of the respiratory issues that are associated with hantavirus lung syndrome.

Transmission from Person To Person

People infected with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in North America are not contagious to others. However, it has been shown that some outbreaks in South America are transmitted from person to person, showing the variation between strains in different regions.

Risk Factors of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus Pulmonary syndrome is mostly found in rural areas during the spring and summer. Pulmonary Hantavirus syndrome is also found in South America and Canada. Other antivirals occur in Asia, where they cause kidney disease and not lung problems.

People who work, live or play in rodent living spaces are more likely to develop hantavirus lung syndrome.

 Factors which increase risk include:

• Open and clean unused buildings or long shale
• Cleaning houses, especially in bridges or other low traffic areas
• A house or workspace is crowded with rodents
• Have a job related to rodent exposure, such as construction, utility work, and pest control
• Camping, hiking or hunting

Complications

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome can be life-threatening quickly. As the lungs fill with fluid, breathing becomes more difficult. The drop in blood pressure and organs begins to fail, especially the heart. Depending on the hantavirus strain, the mortality rate for a North American variety of pulmonary hantavirus syndrome may be more than 30%.

Prevention from Hantavirus

• Keeping rodents away from home and in the workplace can help reduce the risk of hantavirus infection. Try these tips:
• Blocking access. Mice can glue through small holes up to 6mm wide. Gaskets with wire coating, flashing metal or concrete.
• Close the buffet with food. Wash dishes, shelves and surfaces quickly and store food, including pet food, in rodent-resistant containers. Use covers of garbage cans.
• Reduce the nesting material. Clean the brush, grass and trash from the foundation of the building.
• Setting traps. Spring loading traps should be placed along the folds. Be careful when using poison bait traps, as poison can harm people and pets.

Diagnosis

Blood tests can reveal whether your body has made antibodies to hantavirus. Your doctor may order other lab tests to rule out other conditions that have the same symptoms.

 Treatment

Certain treatment options for Hantavirus lung syndrome are limited. However, the prognosis is improved by early recognition, immediate hospitalization and appropriate respiratory support.

Supportive Care

People with severe cases in the intensive care unit need to be treated immediately. Mechanical intake and ventilation may be needed to support breathing and manage fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). Inhaling involves inserting the respiratory tract from the nose or mouth into the trachea to open and function of the airways.

Blood Oxygenation

In cases of very severe pulmonary pain, a method called extracorporeal membrane excretion oxygenation (ECMO) is needed to ensure proper oxygen storage. This involves continuous pumping of blood through machines that remove carbon dioxide and add oxygen. Oxygenated blood is returned to your body