Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is an infectious disease characterized by flu-like symptoms that can progress rapidly to potentially life-threatening breathing problems.

Several types of hantavirus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. They are carried by several types of rodents, particularly the deer mouse. You become infected primarily by breathing air infected with hantaviruses that are shed in rodent urine and droppings.

Because treatment options are limited, the best protection against hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is to avoid rodents and their habitats.

Symptoms
References
  1. Bell M. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50409-2--cesec78&isbn=978-1-4160-2805-5&sid=1091431229&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50409-2--cesec93&uniqId=228991887-3#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50409-2--cesec93. Accessed Dec. 3, 2010.
  2. Simpson SQ, et al. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2010;24:159.
  3. Hjelle B. Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 3, 2010.
  4. Shafts C. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00017-2--sc0015&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&sid=1091431229&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00017-2--sc0015&uniqId=228991887-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00017-2--sc0015. Accessed Dec. 3, 2010.
  5. All about hantaviruses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/noframes/printgenlsection.htm. Accessed Dec. 9, 2010.
  6. Hjelle B. Epidemiology and diagnosis of hantavirus infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 9, 2010.
DS00900 Feb. 12, 2011

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