{"id":19892,"date":"2020-02-03T06:21:09","date_gmt":"2020-02-03T06:21:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=19892"},"modified":"2021-10-14T04:04:38","modified_gmt":"2021-10-14T04:04:38","slug":"14-symptoms-of-hantavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/14-symptoms-of-hantavirus\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Symptoms of Hantavirus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hantavirus is a condition that a lot of people might never have heard of before, but one that thousands of people all over the world might encounter: It’s tied to exposure to contaminated rat droppings – and anywhere you might have been directly in contact with rat droppings (or in contact with objects that have been) will mean that you are at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

it’s a condition that directly affects the blood, and it can lead to very serious symptoms such as increased likelihood to bruise, a fever that develops shortly (a few hours to days) after exposure to and incubation of the Hantavirus, pain in the body, confusion and tiredness, shortness of breath, coughing and others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, the Hantavirus cannot spread between people, but will spread between contact with infected rodents, their droppings, and humans; this makes it one of the most common conditions tied to rodents that people might get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 14 symptoms of the Hantavirus that you should know about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Infected Rodent Contact<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Infected rodent contact is the first thing that you should look for as a possible symptom or sign of the Hantavirus<\/a>: Have you been close to anything that might have been contaminated by infected rat droppings or the rodents and their droppings themselves a little while before your symptoms started? This might not always be obvious (especially not in the case of contaminated foods or drinks) but it’s the first thing that will take place before you contract the Hantavirus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exposure is likely to be a few days to weeks before the first onset of your symptoms: In most cases, the onset of symptoms happens sooner rather than later and the first signs might be ones of a fever or other general infection signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact with the infected rodents doesn’t have to be direct: It might happen when rats have snuck into cupboards or food stores, and it can sometimes take a while before this is noticed. By then, the Hantavirus has already had its chance to spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Fever<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A fever is one of the earliest symptoms that most people develop int the case of an illness or infection. This means that your immune system is reacting to something it perceives as an attack and reacting to it, usually by increasing the body temperature in an attempt to rid the body of the pathogen or intruder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people who contract Hantavirus will develop a fever first: This is true for most infections and illnesses out there to which the immune system reacts to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fever <\/a>can be temporarily brought under control with the use of paracetamol, but will always need medical attention due to the primary underlying infection causing it. Careful with the rate at which fever and subsequent sweating might dehydrate the body: Intake of fluids is crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together with other symptoms on this list, it could mean that the fever is due to the Hantavirus: See a doctor for tests to establish this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Headache<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A long list of generalized infections including sinusitis and the flu will have a headache as an associated symptom: This can include the Hantavirus if you match up with enough of the symptoms that are mentioned on this list – and if you notice that you can tie this to knowing or unknowing rodent exposure, it could be even more likely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Headaches <\/a>together with a fever and characteristic Hantavirus symptoms can mean the Hantavirus. But headaches in the absence of the Hantavirus or its classic symptoms can also mean a thousand different things for the body – including migraines, the wrong diet, stress or tension headaches or a potential precursor sign to a heart attack or stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Headaches can also mean a sign of serious dehydration: Keeping hydrated should be the top of your priority list if you are sick since it’s one of the first things that can cause organ shutdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Bodily Pains <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bodily pains are one of the symptoms that you are likely to experience throughout the Hantavirus infection, and you are likely to experience it with other symptoms mentioned on this list include fever, confusion, chest pain<\/a>, tiredness, and general discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bodily pains will lead to a great deal of discomfort for the duration of the infection, and it might be relieved with the use of paracetamol – but isn’t going to cure the condition. The body pains associated with Hantavirus likely to become worse during nighttime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience serious bodily pains in the absence of any other Hantavirus symptoms, check for potential signs of other conditions like malaria where you can tie it to potential exposure zones. Other chronic immune-related conditions can also cause body pains and flare-ups. Ideally, see your doctor to find out what other conditions could trigger what you’re experiencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Lower Blood Pressure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

High blood pressure<\/a> can be characteristic of many conditions, but lower than normal blood pressure is considered to be more characteristic in diagnosed cases of the Hantavirus. If you experience any symptoms that are characteristic of infection (especially ones on this list) and you can tie it to exposure, see your doctor: A potential drop in blood pressure can lead to a loss of consciousness – and this can lead to the infection turning fatal fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone who already has a heart condition or chronic issues with blood pressure are much more likely to be hard-hit by the Hantavirus as a result, and might take to some of the symptoms in a different way to people without.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low blood pressure can have associated symptoms such as “seeing stars”, feeling weak, feeling sleepy or losing consciousness: A loss of feeling in the hands or feet can also be common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monitor blood pressure throughout a Hantavirus infection and speak to your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Changes in Bruising<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Changes in brushing are one of the first symptoms that you might notice if you have a Hantavirus infection combined with the mixture of the right symptoms mentioned on this list – especially those of recent rodent exposure and confusion, tiredness, fever, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting. The Hantavirus can take a toll on the kidneys and the systems int he body that helps to produce blood healthy blood – and as a result, you’ll notice that most Hantavirrus patients will develop bruises for no reason, or bruise very easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of easy, rapid or very dark bruising can also be indicative of other very serious bleeding and blood-related disorders where they are not combined with the typical symptoms of the Hantavirus: Some of these can be fatal, but most of these can be managed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any changes in the way that you bruise <\/a>are things that should be immediately reported to your doctor so that you can be referred for the right tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Increasing Labored Breathing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Infections with the Hantavirus are characterized by a lot of pressure being placed on the body for the duration of the infection, and it’s one reason why seeking immediate medical attention is one of the most important things you can do for combating the condition.One of the symptoms that might happen as a result of this is increased (usually faster) and labored breathing patterns – and this is also a pretty dangerous symptom due to the effects it might cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Labored breathing can mean that the person might stop breathing entirely, especially where they have existing conditions such as asthma or a bronchial infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone who has a lowered immune system<\/a> is at more of a risk for developing issues from labored breathing: This is why careful cooperation with a doctor is one of the most important things you can do in the case of a severe infection such as the Hantavirus: Follow your doctor’s recommendations carefully and the Hantavirus should be possible to beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Chest Pain and Heart Palpitations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chest pain and heart palpitations <\/a>are two of the common symptoms that you might experience together with the Hantavirus and its other typical symptoms that are mentioned earlier on in this article. These symptoms happen due to the additional pressure that the condition can place on the heart and lungs, and they might be worse at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See your doctor at the first signs of chest pain and heart palpitations, whether or not you are showing any of the additional signs and symptoms of a condition like the Hantavirus. There are many other things that these combined symptoms might indicate for your health, and all of them tend to be serious ones (some of them can require immediate emergency treatment).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any existing heart condition should mean that a lot more care is taken in handling the infection, especially if this is one of the symptoms the patient experiences. Don’t attempt to ward off this condition (or symptoms) without the help of a doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Tiredness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tiredness <\/a>is a common symptom that people will go through when they are feeling sick: It’s true for the common cold and flu, for conditions like bronchitis, Scarlet Fever, gastroenteritis, Hantavirus and thousands of others. This is usually the body’s way of saying that it’s using more energy on combating the infection – and that sleep is necessary in order to heal from what you’re suffering from faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See your doctor at the first signs of fatigue or tiredness: There are many other things that it could indicate in the context of other symptoms, whether or not you think you are suffering from Hantavirus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you start to feel fatigued or tired after recent exposure to rodents (whether known or not) then it can be likely that you have Hantavirus: Within a few hours to days, you might start to check off many of the other symptoms that appear on this list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Confusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Confusion is a very common symptom that can be tied to thousands of different infections and disorders: Mostly, this is because battling an infection can be very taxing on the body and brain – and in advanced cases of what condition you’re suffering from, confusion can be a symptom that the condition has spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s something that most people won’t notice in themselves as a possible symptom, but only see when someone else points out that they aren’t acting like themselves: Take note of this anywhere you might be able to tie it to a symptom such as fever. If you’ve had any recent exposure to rodents together with this, speak to your doctor about the possibility of Hantavirus and make sure that you get the proper diagnosis <\/a>and treatment from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In case you were wondering, Hantavirus infections are not the kind of thing that should be treated at home, and it might be fatal to try – especially if confusion is already a symptom of more advanced infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Muscle Pain and Cramps (similar to flu) <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of the initial symptoms you might experience if you have the Hantavirus might be ones that are characteristic of getting the common flu: Fever, bodily pains, the increased production of mucus and other uncomfortable signs and symptoms are likely – but there are also other symptoms (mentioned earlier in this article) that are characteristic of the Hantavirus and might tell you that you’re suffering from something more serious than the common cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muscle cramps<\/a> can happen with many general infections: With the right combination of symptoms from this list it might also mean that you have Hantavirus. Tying it to recent rodent exposure (whether or not you know about it in the first place) will mean that it’s even more likely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See your doctor if you experience these symptoms in combination, or if you experience these symptoms and cannot find a clear enough cause like the flu. Proper diagnosis of what is causing symptoms is key.
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12. Difficulty Breathing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Difficulty breathing is a symptom that goes together with labored breathing and chest pain, and might indicate Hantavirus in cases where it can be combined with any of the other symptoms that appear on this list. If you have contracted Hantavirus, it’s 100% certain that you were recently (in the preceding days to weeks) exposed to either infected rats or their excrement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have other respiratory conditions such as asthma<\/a>, difficulty breathing can become far more of a dangerous symptom and it might trigger a serious attack of the condition that you already have. Should you notice this, you might require immediate medical treatment for this in addition to Hantavirus – and your next step should be to seek immediate emergency attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, difficulty breathing related only to a Hantavirus infection will go away once the initial condition has been adequately treated with the right antibiotics. For this, the only thing to do is to see your doctor; Hantavirus infections shouldn’t be treated at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Coughing <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coughing <\/a>is a symptom common with many different infections, and common if you have developed a Hantavirus infection: This is because any recent exposure to rat droppings can have a disastrous effect on the lungs (as does the Hantavirus itself) – and if you have any other conditions such as asthma, you could be at a lot more risk of the infection creating permanent damage to the lungs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See your doctor if you experience any coughing that lasts for more than a few hours at a time: If you can combine it with any other symptoms mentioned on this list together with recent exposure to potentially infected rodents then it is likely that your symptoms point to Hantavirus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience coughing in the absence of any Hantavirus symptoms, it’s also best to see your doctor; There are other things that can trigger coughing and many of them are related to the heart instead of the lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Shortness of Breath<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shortness of breath, labored breathing and difficulty breathing are in reality three different symptoms that can each point to different health conditions when they happen (and might happen at different times). When you have a Hantavirus infection then you might experience all three of these symptoms <\/a>combined due to the fact that a Hantavirus infection can be particularly hard on the lungs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have an existing lung condition then you should consider it more serious, because you might be more at risk of developing other issues. See your doctor at the first signs of difficulty breathing together with any of the symptoms that are mentioned on this list, including typical Hantavirus symptoms – but even if you are not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where no lung condition is present, symptoms like shortness of breath should go away as soon as the rest of the symptoms subside too. Should it persist after this, see your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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