D2I2.
infection

Hantavirus (HFRS)

Hantavirus hemorrhagic fever with renal (HFRS) is a hemorrhagic fever caused by hantavirus . Symptoms usually occur 2 weeks after exposure to the hantavirus and come in five distinct stages: febrile (toxic), hypotensive, low urine production (oliguric), high urine production (diuretic), and recovery. Early symptoms include headache, lower back pain, , vomiting, , bloody stool, the appearance of spots on the skin, bleeding in the tract, and renal symptoms such as kidney swelling, , and hematuria. During the hypotensive phase, blood pressure lowers due to microvascular leakage. Renal failure then causes the oliguric phase, before recovering and increasing urine production as disease progression improves. The severity of symptoms varies depending on which virus causes HFRS and ranges from mild illness to severe. The case fatality rate likewise varies by virus, from less than 1% up to 15%.

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

Symptoms — what it feels like

  • ·Headache, lower back pain, , vomiting, , bloody stool, petechiae

Causes — why it happens

  • ·Hantaviruses spread by rodents

Prevention

  • ·Rodent control

Treatment

  • ·Supportive, including hydration, electrolyte therapy, and platelet transfusions

Complications

  • ·Renal failure

Outlook

  • ·Usually good, case fatality rate of <1%–15%
Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.