Hantavirus is a virus that can make people very sick. It usually comes from small animals called rodents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people get infected when they breathe in dust that has the virus from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. This article explains what hantavirus is, how it spreads, its symptoms, how it is treated, and how to stay safe.

What Is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is a type of virus found mostly in rodents like mice, rats, and deer mice. These animals carry the virus without showing any signs of illness. The virus can cause two main diseases in humans. In North and South America, it can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a disease that makes it hard to breathe. In Europe and Asia, hantavirus often causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which mainly affects the kidneys and blood vessels. Both types of diseases can be dangerous if not treated quickly.

Causes and How It Spreads

The virus is carried by rodents. These animals live in fields, forests, and sometimes in or around homes. Hantavirus does not spread from person to person. Instead, people get sick by coming into contact with the virus when cleaning up areas where rodents have been. The virus can be found in rodent urine, droppings, and saliva. When these substances dry up, they can become dust. Breathing in this dust is the most common way that hantavirus spreads.

Activities that put people at risk include cleaning old sheds, barns, or any area where rodents live. Working outdoors in areas with many rodents also increases the chance of being exposed. Knowing where rodents live and how to avoid contact with them is very important to keep yourself safe from hantavirus.

What Are the Symptoms?

Hantavirus can start with symptoms that look like many other common illnesses. At first, people may feel feverish, tired, and have muscle aches. These early symptoms might be mild and are similar to a cold or the flu. However, if the virus causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), the illness can get worse very fast.

For HPS, symptoms can include:

High fever
Chills
Coughing
Shortness of breath
Muscle aches, especially around your thighs, hips, and back.
Chest pain

The breathing problems happen because the virus makes fluid build up in the lungs. When this fluid fills the lungs, it becomes hard for the person to breathe. For those with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), symptoms can include:

High fever
Headache
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Low blood pressure

The symptoms of HFRS come from the virus affecting the kidneys and blood vessels. Because early symptoms are like the flu, it is important to see a doctor if you have been around rodents and you start to feel sick.

How Is Hantavirus Treated?

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no specific medicine to cure hantavirus. Doctors treat the disease by taking care of the symptoms and supporting the body while it fights the virus. People with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) often need to go to the hospital. In the hospital, doctors give oxygen or use a machine called a ventilator to help the patient breathe. The main goal is to support the patient’s body while it recovers.

For those with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), treatment is similar. Doctors may use fluids through an IV (a tube that goes into a vein) to help with blood pressure and to protect the kidneys. In both cases, the care given in the hospital is called supportive care. It helps the patient’s body function until the immune system can fight off the virus.

Doctors and researchers continue to study hantavirus to find better ways to treat it. New treatments and vaccines are being researched. For now, the best care for hantavirus is to catch it early and provide strong supportive treatment.

How to Prevent Hantavirus

The best way to protect yourself from hantavirus is to avoid contact with rodents. Here are some simple steps to lower the risk of infection:

Seal Your Home: Make sure there are no holes or gaps in your home that rodents can use to enter.
Keep Food Safe: Store food in containers that rodents cannot chew through, and clean up crumbs or spills right away.
Clean Safely: If you must clean an area with rodent droppings, wear gloves and a mask. Wet the area first before cleaning to avoid kicking up dust that may contain the virus.
Be Cautious Outdoors: When working in fields, forests, or old buildings, be aware of the signs of rodent activity.
Proper Disposal: Do not leave garbage or food waste where rodents can easily get to it.

Takeaway

Hantavirus is a serious virus that comes mainly from rodents. It can cause two different types of diseases: one that affects the lungs and another that affects the kidneys. Early symptoms may seem like a common cold or the flu, so it is important to be cautious if you have been exposed to areas where rodents live. There is no cure for hantavirus, and treatment relies on supportive care in the hospital.

Taking simple steps to keep rodents away from your home and workplace is the best way to prevent the infection. If you see signs of rodent activity or feel sick after being in areas where they live, contact a doctor as soon as possible. As research continues, new treatments may become available, but for now, prevention and early care are the best defenses against hantavirus.