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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffHantavirus pulmonary syndrome advances through two distinct stages, with the first signs and symptoms appearing between one and five weeks after exposure to a hantavirus.
The early stage
Signs and symptoms such as fever, fatigue and chills are early indicators of a hantavirus infection. Within several days, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pains and headaches may develop. In its early stages, hantavirus infection is difficult to distinguish from influenza, pneumonia or other viral conditions.
Signs and symptoms of early-stage infection include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle aches, especially in large muscle groups, such as your thighs, hips and back
- Bubbling or rattling sounds in your lungs (rales)
- Abnormally fast breathing (tachypnea)
- Abnormally fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
The cardiopulmonary stage
A cough often indicates that the hantavirus infection has progressed into the cardiopulmonary stage, in which the capillaries of your lungs begin to weaken and leak fluid. Shortness of breath and respiratory troubles can follow.
Symptoms or signs of the cardiopulmonary stage include:
- A cough that produces secretions
- Reduction of oxygen (hypoxia or hypoxemia) and a buildup of carbon dioxide (hypercarbia) and acid (acidemia) in your blood
- Shortness of breath
- Respiratory insufficiency (shock) or failure
- Buildup of fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema)
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), in which your lungs' ability to transfer oxygen to your blood is severely impaired
- Multiorgan failure
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Slower or faster than normal heartbeat (arrhythmia)
When to see a doctor
If you've been around rodents or rodent droppings and have symptoms of fever, chills, muscle aches or any difficulties breathing, seek immediate medical attention. Be sure to tell your doctor you have had exposure to rodents or their droppings.
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- Shafts C. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008: 380.
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- Hjelle B. Epidemiology and diagnosis of hantavirus infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 21, 2008.
- Hjelle B. Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 21, 2008.
- All about hantaviruses: How do I prevent HPS? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/noframes/prevent.htm. Accessed Dec. 21, 2008.
- Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo
