Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome Symptoms and Diagnosis
What Are Symptoms of Hantavirus? Since HPS affects a small population, the “incubation” period is unknown. In most recorded cases, symptoms develop 1 to 8 weeks after exposure. Early symptoms, such as fever, dry cough, body aches, headaches, diarrhea and abdominal pain, are similar to many other viral illnesses. This may prevent an HPS diagnosis before the illness progresses. If the initial symptoms are not connected to hantavirus exposure and are left untreated, late symptoms will onset rapidly. These symptoms include cough and shortness of breath, which are the result of leaky blood vessels and lead to collection of fluid in the lungs, bleeding and failure of the heart to pump. The combination of these changes can lead to shock, failure of several organs and even death. With this in mind, key symptoms and signs to watch for (with a history of rodent exposure) include: Fever greater than 101◦F, chills, body aches, headaches Nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain A dry coug...