Hantavirus
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses
Symptoms list
HPS: The death rate due to the strain carried by deer mice ranges from 30% to 50%1
times to onset after exposure
Post infection immunity?
Humans can be exposed and infected through various means;
- rarely human to human contact but that's not always the case with the Andes strain, such as: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8pypvjx1ko
- primarily transmitted to humans through inhalation of airborne particles from dried rodent droppings
The virus can survive for many weeks on most surfaces and many months in still water?
Treatment
Aside from the very young, elderly or the immunocompromised treatment involves rest, staying hydrated and, if necessary, taking paracetamol to reduce fever.
Those with severe or longer lasting symptoms may benefit from supplementing with electrolytes.
You may want to also avoid drinking fruit juice or carbonated drinks as these may may diarrhoea worse.
In the UK at least, taking anti-nausea (antiemetic) medication (such as Zofran (prescription only) or cyclizine) is not advised as this can slow your body's response to the virus (evacuating it from your body) and consequently your recovery.
Prevention
- blah blah
- hand washing
Further Reading
References
Metadata
Created: 2026-05-04
Last Updated: 2026-05-04