Don't Miss These Crucial Signs: What Every American Needs To Know About Hantavirus Symptoms Now. We weren’ t able to create a summary for you. Refresh your page to try again. May 13, 2024 · Early symptoms such as fever, headache muscle aches, nausea, and fatigue are easily confused with influenza. If you suspect hantavirus disease, see a physician immediately and mention a potential rodent exposure. •Overview•Symptoms•When to see a doctor•Causes•Risk factors•ComplicationsSee full list on mayoclinic.orgThe time from infection with the hantavirus to the start of illness is usually about 2 to 3 weeks. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome advances through two distinct stages. If you have flu-like symptoms that progressively worsen over a few days, see your health care provider. Get immediate medical care if you have trouble breathing.Request an appointmentSee full list on mayoclinic.orgRodent carriersHantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a human disease found only in North and South America. Each strain of the hantavirus has a preferred rodent carrier. The deer mouse is the most common carrier of the virus in North America and Central America. In the United States, most of the infections occur in the states west of the Mississippi River. Other carriers in North America include the rice rat and cotton rat in the Southeast and the white-footed mouse in the Northeast. Rodent carriers in South America include the rice rat and the vesper mouse.TransmissionThe virus is present in the rodent's urine, feces or saliva. You can come in contact with the virus in the following ways:Effect of the virusWhen hantaviruses reach the lungs, they invade tiny blood vessels called capillaries, eventually causing them to leak.
