(Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome)
DefinitionHantavirus is a serious infection that affects the lungs.
|Virus Attacking a Cell|
|In a viral infection, the virus uses your cells to grow and reproduce, making you ill in the process.|
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CausesHantavirus is caused by a virus. It is transmitted when a person comes into contact with rodents that are infected with the virus or infected rodents' urine or droppings. In the United States, the deer mouse is the rodent most likely to carry hantavirus infection. Hantavirus infection cannot be passed between humans.
Risk FactorsFactors that may increase your chance of hantavirus infection include:
- Living near a forest
- Seeing rodents in your home
- Having rodents present in a work environment
SymptomsHantavirus infection may cause:
- Deep muscle aches
- Severe shortness of breath
DiagnosisYour doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.Your doctor may need to test your bodily fluids. This can be done with blood tests. Your doctor may also need pictures of your chest. This can be done with a chest x-ray .
TreatmentThere is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection. Treatment will focus on treating your symptoms, providing breathing support, and making you comfortable.
PreventionThe best way to prevent hantavirus infection is to control rodent infestation in and around your home. This involves sealing rodent entry holes or gaps with steel wool, lath metal, or caulk; trapping rodents using snap traps; and cleaning rodent food sources and nesting sites. In addition, take the following precautions when cleaning rodent-infested areas:
- Wear rubber, latex, vinyl, or nitrile gloves.
- Do not vacuum or sweep the area, since this may cause the virus to get into the air.
- Wet contaminated areas with a bleach solution (such as 1-½ cups bleach in 1 gallon water) or household disinfectant.
- When everything is wet, remove contaminated materials with a damp towel before mopping or sponging the area with the bleach solution or disinfectant.
- Spray dead rodents with disinfectant and double-bag them with all cleaning materials.
- Properly dispose of dead rodents. Contact your health department for disposal methods.
- Disinfect gloves with disinfectant or soap and water before taking them off. Then, thoroughly wash hands with soap and water or a waterless alcohol-based rub (such as hand sanitizer) if soap is not available.
American Lung Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Public Health Agency of Canada
Cline BJ, Carver S, et al. Relationship of human behavior withinoutbuildings to potential exposure to Sin Nombre virus in Western Montana. Ecohealth. 2010;7(3):389-393.
Dizney L, Jones PD, et al. Natural history of Sin Nombre virus infectionin deer mice in urban parks in Oregon. J Wildl Dis. 2010;46(2):433-441.
Hantavirus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/hps.Updated November 1, 2012. Accessed January 4, 2013.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated September 14, 2012. Accessed January 4, 2013.
Mills JN, Amman BR, et al. Ecology of hantaviruses and their hosts in NorthAmerica. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2010;10(6):563-574.
Simpson SQ, Spikes L, et al. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. InfectDis Clin North Am. 2010;24(1):159-173.
- Reviewer: David L. Horn, MD, FACP
- Review Date: 12/2014
- Update Date: 12/20/2014
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