Hantavirus is a virus in the family Bunyaviridae, found mainly in rodents, which can transmit the virus to people through their excrement, such as feces and urine.
In Brazil, there are about 6 types of Hantavirus that cause disease in humans, and the number of infections has been increasing due to environmental degradation that happens due to urban growth and agricultural activities, which means that rodents or other vector animals can pass living in environments close to home environments.
Hantavirus is the disease caused by hantavirus in humans, and produces a flu-like clinical picture, with fever, headache and body pain, but it can also cause serious pulmonary, renal complications and risk of bleeding. Check the characteristics of this infection in Hantavirose.
How the transmission happens
The main form of transmission of the hantavirus occurs when breathing particles of the virus present in the secretions and excretions of rodents, mainly urine and feces. It is also possible to contract the disease through contact of the virus with mucous membranes, wounds, rat bites, consumption of contaminated water or food or manipulation of contaminated rodents in the laboratory.
The most likely to be contaminated with hantavirus and develop hantavirus disease are rural workers, workers in reforestation areas or in cleanings of storerooms, sheds and granaries that store food and feed, as well as people who do leisure activities in wild regions or rural areas.
The main animals that carry the hantavirus are small mammals and rodents, such as rats, mice and rats, although they can also be found in other types of animals, such as bats. Animals infected with hantavirus suffer from a chronic and persistent infection, which despite not causing serious changes in these animals, can cause a serious disease in humans.
How to identify
Symptoms of hantavirus contamination include:
- Shortness of breath; Fever; Muscle pain; Headache; Chills; Nausea; Vomiting; Dry cough; Malaise; Sensitivity to light; Reddish skin; Little spots on the inside of the mouth.
These symptoms last 3 to 7 days and then the disease progresses, generating symptoms such as:
- Purplish fingertips; Heart palpitations; There may be kidney failure and proteinuria; Excessive urine: 3 to 6 liters per day.
This disease is often confused with other infections, especially Leptospirosis, which can also be transmitted by rats. Check out how to identify and treat Leptospirosis.
The diagnosis of disease caused by hantavirus is made through immunological tests by blood test.
How to treat hantavirus infection
Treatment for disease caused by hantavirus is carried out at the hospital and, depending on the severity of the case, admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) may be necessary. There is no specific treatment to treat hantavirus infection, but the sooner the disease is detected, the better the chances of a cure.
When the infection severely affects organs such as the kidneys and lungs, supportive therapies such as dialysis or even respiration by devices may be necessary. Strict observation of vital signs and monitoring of signs of better and worse is also recommended.
