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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffSpecific treatment options for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome are limited. But the prognosis improves with early recognition, immediate hospitalization and adequate support for breathing.
Supportive therapy
People with severe cases need immediate treatment in an intensive care unit. Assisted respiration, whether through intubation or mechanical ventilation, can help with breathing and ward off pulmonary edema. Intubation involves placing a breathing tube through your nose, mouth or trachea to help keep your airways open and functioning.
Blood oxygenation
In extremely severe cases of pulmonary distress, you'll need a method called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to help ensure you retain a sufficient supply of oxygen. This involves continuously pumping your blood through a machine that removes carbon dioxide and adds oxygen. The oxygenated blood is then returned to your body.
- 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§ionEid=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.
- Simpson SQ, et al. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2010;24:159.
- Hjelle B. Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 3, 2010.
- 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§ionEid=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.
- All about hantaviruses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/noframes/printgenlsection.htm. Accessed Dec. 9, 2010.
- Hjelle B. Epidemiology and diagnosis of hantavirus infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 9, 2010.
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