Hantavirus causes flu-like symptoms, early treatment is essential Published Sept. 13, 2012 By Lt. Col. (Dr.) Michael Landes 71st Medical Group VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Due to recent public media attention regarding the Hantavirus outbreak in Yosemite National Park, it is prudent to provide information regarding the disease to include symptoms, treatment and prevention. Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that may be carried by some rodents. Some hantaviruses can cause a rare but deadly disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The disease is called HPS for short. People get HPS when they breathe in hantaviruses. This can happen when rodent urine and droppings containing a hantavirus are stirred up into the air. People can also become infected when they touch mouse or rat urine, droppings, or nesting materials that contain the virus and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. Early symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, especially in the large muscle groups -- thighs, hips, back and sometimes shoulders. These symptoms are universal. There may also be headaches, dizziness, chills, and abdominal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. About half of all HPS patients experience these symptoms. Four to ten days after the initial phase of illness, the late symptoms of HPS appear. These include coughing and shortness of breath, with the sensation of, as one survivor put it, a "...tight band around my chest and a pillow over my face" as the lungs fill with fluid. HPS has a mortality rate of 38 percent. Late symptoms may take one to five weeks to appear following exposure. Early diagnosis of HPS is difficult because symptoms such as fever, muscle aches and fatigue are easily confused with influenza. However, if the individual is experiencing fever and fatigue associated with shortness of breath and a history of potential rural rodent exposure, the diagnosis of HPS should be considered. If the individual is experiencing these symptoms they should see their physician immediately and mention their potential rodent exposure. There is no specific treatment, cure or vaccine for hantavirus infection. However, early recognition and treatment in an intensive care unit improves outcomes. Respiratory support with oxygen therapy helps patients through the period of severe respiratory distress. The earlier the patient is brought in to intensive care, the better. If a patient is experiencing full distress, it is likely the treatment will be ineffective. The best practice regarding Hantavirus is to prevent exposure. Attempt to prevent rodents from entering buildings where you live and work. If rodent droppings or urine may be present, it is important to clean properly. Do not sweep or vacuum up mouse or rat urine, droppings, or nests. This will cause virus particles to go into the air, where they can be inhaled. Wear rubber or plastic gloves. Spray urine and droppings with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water. Make sure to get the urine and droppings very wet. Let it soak for five minutes. Use a paper towel to wipe up the urine or droppings. Throw the paper towel in the garbage. Mop or sponge the area with a disinfectant or bleach solution. Wash gloved hands with soap and water or spray a disinfectant or bleach solution on gloves before taking them off. Wash hands with soap and warm water after taking off the gloves.