Hantavirus: An Introduction
Small, But Deadly
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
(HPS) has been recognized as a disease
only recently in North America. So far, it's also fairly uncommon
and the chances of becoming infected are low. However, HPS is potentially
deadly and immediate intensive care is essential once symptoms appear.
The Mouse That Roared
Hantaviruses that cause HPS are carried by rodents,
especially the deer mouse. You can become infected by exposure
to their droppings, and the flu-like first signs of sickness (especially
fever and muscle aches) appear one to six weeks later, followed
by shortness of breath and coughing. Once this phase begins, the
disease progresses rapidly, necessitating hospitalization and often
ventilation within 24 hours.
Prevention is the best strategy and it simply
means taking some very practical steps to minimize your contact with
rodents.
HPS is only one of a host of "new" or reemerging
infectious diseases now affecting millions of people annually. |
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