When to Seek Care — Hantavirus
Seek emergency care immediately if:
You have any of the following symptoms AND a history of possible rodent exposure in the past 1–8 weeks:
- 🔴 Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath at rest
- 🔴 Fever above 38°C (101°F) with cough and/or chest tightness
- 🔴 Rapid heartbeat or feeling faint when standing
- 🔴 Coughing up blood or bleeding from gums/nose without injury
- 🔴 Confusion, dizziness, or feeling like you might pass out
- 🔴 Decreased urine output with fever and body aches
Rodent exposure checklist
These activities increase your risk — mention them to your healthcare provider:
- Cleaning or entering rodent-infested buildings (cabins, barns, sheds, attics)
- Living in or visiting rural areas with known rodent populations
- Farming, forestry, or pest control work
- Camping or hiking in endemic areas
- Close contact with someone diagnosed with hantavirus (Andes virus regions)
- Recent travel to regions with active hantavirus outbreaks
What to tell your doctor
- Symptoms: When they started, what they feel like, how fast they're worsening
- Exposure: Any contact with rodents, droppings, or infested buildings in the past 2 months
- Location: Where you live and where you've travelled recently
- Occupation: Whether your work involves rural, agricultural, or outdoor settings
Do not wait
HPS can progress from mild symptoms to life-threatening respiratory failure in hours. If you suspect hantavirus exposure and develop fever with breathing difficulty, go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Do not drive yourself — call an ambulance if breathing becomes difficult.
Sources
- CDC. Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. CDC Symptoms
- PAHO. Hantavirus: What you need to know. PAHO