What is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a rare but serious viral infection predominately reported in rural and backcountry areas of the southwestern United States. The virus can be transmitted to humans through contact with rodents or rodent droppings. Symptoms are flu-like and can lead to extreme difficulty with breathing. For information about Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome provided by the Centers for Disease Control, click here.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare disease caused by a virus (hantavirus). The first symptoms of HPS (hantavirus pulmonary syndrome) are fever, muscle pain, and being tired. This happens 1 to 3 weeks after a person is exposed to hantavirus. Some people also get headaches, dizziness, vomiting, or diarrhea. After about 4 to 10 days, people who are sick with hantavirus infection begin to cough and have shortness of breath. If someone is sick with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and does not get help quickly, he or she may die.
