Hantavirus is an extremely rare infectious disease that causes flu-like symptoms. The infectious disease can rapidly progress and cause breathing problems that are life-threatening. Hantavirus is carried by rodents, especially deer mice. When you become infected it’s because you inhaled the air that is infected by hantavirus.
The rodents will leave their droppings and urine scent in the air that whenever you breathe it, you become infected. The treatment options for hantavirus are limited. The only way to prevent yourself from getting the disease is to steer clear of rodents. That can be difficult if rodents make their home in your house.
It doesn’t matter if you have an older or newer home. Rodents who have hantavirus will make their way into your home if they want to. If you start to have symptoms it’s important to seek medical attention right away since it can be life-threatening. There are eight usual symptoms of hantavirus to look out for.
1. Fever and chills
Fever and chills are the usual symptoms you will experience in the first stages of hantavirus. You will think that you have the flu, but it’s hantavirus. At home, you can take Tylenol and stay in bed, but it won’t go away because you have an infectious disease. You will need to go into the emergency room where they will give you the proper care that you’ll need.
They will most likely put you in intensive care and give you oxygen. If you go to the emergency room as soon as you develop symptoms, you will have a chance of surviving. The amount of time you’ll be in the hospital is dependent on how fast you heal. You won’t be able to go home until your fever goes down. The emergency room staff will suggest going to an infectious disease doctor for a follow up to make sure it hasn’t come back.