MedlinePlus: Hantavirus Infections

MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You

Other Health Topics:

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
XYZ
List of All Topics

Related Topics
- Infections
Go Local
- Services and providers for Hantavirus Infections in the U.S.
- Select from map
National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Hantavirus Infections is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Hantavirus Infections

Also called: HPS

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare but deadly viral infection. It is spread by mice and rats. They shed the virus in their urine, droppings and saliva. Tiny droplets with the virus can enter the air. People can get the disease if they breathe infected air or come into contact with rodents or their urine or droppings. You cannot catch it from people.

Early symptoms of HPS include

Fatigue
Fever
Muscle aches, especially in the thighs, hips and back
Headaches
Chills
Dizziness
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain

Later symptoms include coughing and shortness of breath.

Controlling rodents in and around your house is the best way to protect yourself from infection. If you have been around rodents and have symptoms of fever, deep muscle aches, and severe shortness of breath, see your doctor immediately.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Basics	Learn More	Multimedia & Cool Tools
Overviews Diagnosis/Symptoms Treatment Prevention/Screening	Related Issues	Pictures & Photographs
Research	Reference Shelf	For You
Clinical Trials Journal Articles	Dictionaries/Glossaries Directories Organizations Statistics	No links available

Overviews
- All about Hantavirus(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome(American Lung Association)
Diagnosis/Symptoms
- What Are the Symptoms of HPS?(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Treatment
- What Is the Treatment for HPS?(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Prevention/Screening
- How Is Hantavirus Transmitted?(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Precautions for Campers and Hikers in the Affected Areas(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Tips for Preventing HPS: Clean Up Infested Areas, Using Safety Precautions(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Tips for Preventing HPS: Prevention Indoors and Outdoors(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Who Is at Risk of Getting HPS, and Why?(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Return to top
Related Issues
- Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Return to top
Pictures & Photographs
- Images Useful for Hantavirus Prevention Campaigns(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Return to top
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Hantavirus Infections(National Institutes of Health)
Return to top
Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Return to top
Dictionaries/Glossaries
- All about Hantaviruses: Glossary of Terms(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Return to top
Directories
- State Contacts for Hantavirus Information(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Return to top
Organizations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Also available in Spanish
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Return to top
Statistics
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome Case Count and Descriptive Statistics(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Return to top

Other Health Topics:

Related Topics

Go Local

National Institutes of Health