hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) consists of
supporting you through the illness, usually in an intensive care unit.
Treatment may include:
- Using a mechanical
ventilator to help you breathe. This includes
monitoring the amount of oxygen in your blood and adjusting the treatment as
needed to keep the proper amount of oxygen in your
- Monitoring the pressure and blood flow in your heart and
lungs by placing a thin tube (pulmonary artery catheter) inside your
heart and lungs.
intravenous (IV) fluids and medicines to maintain your
blood pressure and prevent
What To Think About
If you think you have
hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), seek immediate medical care to
evaluate whether emergency medical treatment is needed to support your
breathing and to prevent shock.
During the initial outbreak of the
virus in 1993, about 70% of people who developed HPS died.2 Today, the death rate has fallen to about 40%, perhaps
because of improved treatment with fluids and other supportive care early in
the course of the illness.1
treatments to improve the chance of survival are being studied.