We all have rats and mice in our homes, maybe in our workplaces, or even in our camping areas. Sometimes these animals may look cute, but they can carry diseases that we don't expect. Today we're going to talk about a disease that is a bit rare, but very important to know about, that is transmitted by rats. This is called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, or HPS for short.
What is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)?
Simply put, this `HPS` is a rare but potentially dangerous disease caused by a virus. It can mainly damage your heart, lungs, and other vital organs in the body. It is a disease that can progress very quickly, and can sometimes be life-threatening. Some people also call it `Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome` (HCPS).
How does this disease develop?
Okay, now let's see how we get this disease. Most often, `HPS` is caused by contact with the feces (that is, feces), urine, or saliva of a rat or mouse infected with the so-called `Hantavirus`. How do these things get into our bodies? We can breathe in those particles. Or, if we eat or drink something that has been contaminated with those things, or if we touch a surface like that and then touch our mouth or nose with the same hand, this virus enters our bodies.
Can you survive if you get Hantavirus?
Yes, HPS can be cured. However, this is a serious matter. According to reports, about 40% of those who develop this disease, or about four out of ten people, may die. That is why it is important to be aware of this and seek treatment immediately if symptoms appear.
Do all rats and mice carry this virus?
No, not every rat or mouse carries Hantavirus. In North America, several species of rats have been identified that carry this virus. However, it is difficult to say anything specific about the rats in our country. The most important thing is that we cannot tell by looking at a rat whether it has this virus or not. Therefore, the best thing to do is to be careful. The best thing to do is to minimize contact with wild rats and mice, and if you see their feces, urine, or nests in your home, remove them safely and clean the areas thoroughly with disinfectant.
Who is more likely to develop HPS?
This disease called `HPS` can actually affect anyone. The main thing is, as mentioned earlier, exposure to the feces, urine, and saliva of an infected rat or mouse. These patients have been reported from various countries around the world. In the United States, it is said that the most patients are reported from the states west of the Mississippi River. There is no such special area designated in our country, but there can be a risk anywhere where rats are abundant. Think about it, when cleaning an old storage room, an attic, or a house in the woods, or when working in the fields, this risk can increase.
How common is `HPS`?
HPS is actually a very rare disease. For example, since research on it began in the United States in 1993, only 833 cases have been reported as of December 2020. That's about 27 years. So, this means that this is not an everyday disease. But, even though it is rare, it can be dangerous, so it's worth knowing about it.
What happens when Hantavirus enters the body?
Okay, now let's see what happens after this Hantavirus enters our body. Once the virus enters the body, it gradually multiplies, meaning it creates more viruses and starts spreading throughout the body.
Especially in your lungs , this virus causes the blood vessels (the small blood vessels) there to weaken and leak blood. Then the air sacs (the little balloons that hold oxygen when we breathe) in your lungs can fill with blood. This makes it very difficult to breathe.
It also affects your heart . The virus damages the heart muscle itself, and the blood vessels there weaken and leak. When these blood vessels weaken, the heart can't pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body's cells and organs. When the cells and organs don't get enough blood, the body can go into shock .
Remember, if the body goes into shock, the organs can quickly fail and even cause death. That's why it's called dangerous.
What are the early symptoms of HPS?
When infected with Hantavirus, symptoms appear in several stages.
The first stage is the 'incubation phase', or the time when the virus is growing in the body. This period can last up to eight weeks. During this time, you may have the virus in your body, but you may not show any outward symptoms.
The second stage is when symptoms first appear. This can start very quickly. The symptoms include:
- Fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.33 degrees Celsius).
- Feeling like you're going cold .
- Tiredness , fatigue.
- Muscle pain , especially in the thighs, hips, and back.
- Stomach ache.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhea (stomach bloating).
- Maybe a skin rash.
- Dry cough and difficulty breathing.
- Headache .
- Dizziness.
This second stage can last from two to eight days.
What happens when HPS symptoms become severe? (Stage 3)
About four to ten days after the initial symptoms begin, the third stage of symptoms may begin. This stage can be very severe. The following may occur during this time:
- Internal bleeding.
- The lungs filling with fluid.
These symptoms can cause life-threatening problems with your organs and respiratory system. Signs that you are entering this severe stage include:
- Increased coughing.
- It's getting harder to breathe.
- Heart rate increases.
- Feeling of tightness in the chest.
If you experience these symptoms, you should go to the hospital immediately.
What are the causes of HPS?
The main cause of HPS is a group of viruses called Hantaviruses. These viruses are usually carried by certain types of rats and mice.
People often get HPS by breathing in tiny particles from the feces of an infected rat. However, hantaviruses can also be spread by:
- By being bitten by an infected rat or mouse.
- If you touch a surface that has been contaminated with secretions (feces, urine, saliva) from an infected rat/mouse and then touch your nose or mouth with the same hand.
- If you eat food contaminated with infected secretions.
Is this contagious from person to person?
This is a very important question. The disease `HPS` is very rarely transmitted from person to person. According to medical researchers, only a specific type of Hantavirus found in Argentina and Chile has been observed to be transmitted from person to person. Therefore, this is usually a disease that is transmitted from rats to people, and not a disease that spreads easily between people.
How is HPS diagnosed?
If you have symptoms of HPS, a doctor will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical exam. In addition, they may ask you questions like:
- Have you encountered any wild rats or mice recently?
- Have you been camping recently, or stayed in a house in the woods?
- Do you live or work in a forested area?
- Have you noticed any rat/mouse droppings in your home or workplace?
This information allows the doctor to conduct tests for suspected HPS disease, as well as other diseases transmitted by rats.
What tests are used to diagnose HPS?
A doctor can confirm whether you have HPS with a blood test .
In a blood test, they take a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm using a small needle (like a toothpick). Then, the blood is examined under a microscope to see if there are antibodies (proteins that our immune system makes to fight off disease) that are produced against the virus.
Blood tests may also reveal other signs of HPS. For example, an abnormally high number of white blood cells (these are the cells that fight disease in our bodies) and an abnormally low number of platelets (a substance that helps the blood clot). Your doctor may also check the oxygen levels in your blood.
How is HPS treated?
It is important to treat HPS as soon as possible. If you develop flu-like symptoms after being in contact with rat/mouse feces, see a doctor immediately.
HPS is usually treated in an intensive care unit (ICU) . Doctors will monitor your condition closely and may provide specific treatments such as:
- Oxygen therapy (if breathing is difficult).
- Provide the body with the necessary fluids (Fluid replacement) (prevent dehydration).
- Blood pressure medications (if blood pressure is low).
- Ribavirin is an antiviral drug .
- Mechanical ventilation (help with a machine if breathing is very difficult).
- Dialysis (if the kidneys are affected).
In some very severe cases , doctors also use a special treatment called `ECMO` (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). This involves taking blood from the body, adding oxygen to that blood through a machine, and returning it to the body. This is a very complex treatment.
Does HPS get better? How long will it take?
If you survive the first few days of the acute phase of HPS, you should start to feel better within a few weeks. Most people make a full recovery within a few weeks of starting treatment.
How do I take care of myself? / What should I do until I recover?
The most important thing is to see a doctor immediately if you feel sick after being in a place where there was rat/mouse feces. To make a full recovery, you need to follow the treatment plan your doctor gives you exactly.
When the illness is not too severe, you can help speed up your recovery by getting plenty of rest and drinking plenty of fluids (such as water and fruit juice) .
What should we do to reduce the occurrence of `HPS`? (Prevention methods)
There is no vaccine for HPS yet. However, there are several things we can do to reduce the risk of developing the disease:
- Stay away from wild rats and mice. Avoid hanging around where they excrete.
- When cleaning up areas where rats/mouse droppings have been found, wear rubber gloves and a mask that covers your nose and mouth.
- Clean areas where there is rat/mouse droppings thoroughly with disinfectant.
- Do not sweep up rat/mouse droppings with a rag. If you sweep them up, the infected particles can be mixed with dust and inhaled. It is best to dampen the area with water and then wipe it away.
- If there are holes in or around your home that allow mice/rats to enter, seal them tightly.
- Place mouse traps and rat traps in and around the house to reduce the rat/mouse population.
- Avoid leaving food outside at home. Be careful with food even when camping.
- Before using any area where you know there are mice/rats (for example, old storage rooms, barns), make sure to ventilate it well. Open the doors and windows and wait a while before entering.
What should I expect if I have HPS?
If you have HPS, it is important to seek treatment immediately. If not treated quickly, HPS can be fatal.
However, with proper treatment, most people with HPS recover completely without any long-term effects.
When should I see a doctor?
The symptoms of HPS can be similar to other common illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu. However, it is important to treat HPS because it can quickly become serious. If you develop symptoms of HPS (such as fever, body aches, and difficulty breathing) after contact with wild rats or their secretions, see a doctor immediately.
When will I be able to return to normal activities?
After successful treatment, you should start to feel better quickly – usually within a few days. However, it may take a month or more for some lung functions to return to normal. Your doctor will tell you exactly when you can return to your normal activities, including exercise.
What questions should you ask the doctor?
When you see a doctor, it's a good idea to ask questions like these:
- How do you know if I have Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome?
- How did I get this `HPS`?
- What tests do you perform to diagnose HPS?
- How serious is my condition?
- Are there any side effects to the treatments you recommend?
- When will I start feeling better?
- What else can I do to speed up my recovery?
Finally, a few things to remember
Rats and mice are cute animals with big eyes, big ears, pink noses, and small limbs, but we can get diseases from wild rats/mice. One such disease that they transmit is Hantavirus. This virus causes a rare but serious disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).
Although symptoms may initially be flu-like, as this gradually progresses and affects other organs, you may have difficulty breathing and a rapid heartbeat. HPS can be fatal if not treated properly.
Therefore, if you develop flu-like symptoms after being in a place where there was rat/mouse droppings or where rats/mice live, please see a doctor immediately. Also tell the doctor when and where you were in such a place. The sooner you are diagnosed with `HPS`, the better your chances of making a full recovery.
` Hantavirus, HPS, rats, mice, viral diseases, lung infections, rat fever
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