Hantavirus infection

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Hantavirus infection or hantavirus disease is an infectious disease of humans caused by viruses in the Orthohantavirus genus of viruses. It can result in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Symptoms of HFRS generally include headache, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, bleeding, and kidney failure. Symptoms of HPS include tiredness, fever, muscle pain, cough, and shortness of breath. Onset of initial symptoms is generally 1 to 8 weeks following exposure. HFRS is due to Old World hantaviruses while HPS is due to New World hantaviruses. More than 28 specific hantaviruses cause disease in humans. The disease is typically spread when people breathe in air contaminated by rodent droppings. The underlying mechanism of both forms of the disease involves low platelets and leaky blood vessels. Diagnosis is based on blood tests, typically serology. Treatment is primarily supportive care. This may include oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, dialysis...

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