Health Desk: After Corona and Monkeypox, now ‘Hantavirus’ has increased the concern of the world. Recently, the deaths due to this deadly virus on a cruise ship in Argentina have frightened people. However, it is a matter of relief that no case of this has been reported in India yet. After this incident in Argentina, other passengers on the cruise are being quarantined and thoroughly examined. Experts say that this virus is centuries old, but its lethality is so high that it can cause human organs to fail within a few days.
Trap of death reaches humans from rats and squirrels
Hantavirus is mainly spread through rodents i.e. rats and squirrels. This virus is present in the feces, urine and saliva of these animals. When a human comes in direct contact with these infected animals or touches things contaminated by them, he becomes vulnerable to this virus. The most dangerous thing is that in closed places, particles of rats’ urine or droppings get mixed in the air and reach the human lungs through breath.
Symptoms appear after 8 weeks, death occurs in 40% cases
Hantavirus is considered very ‘deceitful’ because it can take 1 to 8 weeks (2 months) for symptoms to appear. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, 35 to 40 percent of patients infected with this virus die within just 6 weeks. Its initial symptoms are like common flu, which include high fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Due to its appearance like a common disease, it becomes difficult to detect it in time.
HPS: This virus fills the lungs with water
The most dangerous form of Hantavirus is ‘Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome’ (HPS), which is seen more in North and South America. In this, the infection spreads rapidly and the heart and lungs of the patient stop functioning. Due to the lungs being filled with water, there is severe difficulty in breathing and the oxygen level starts falling rapidly. As the infection progresses, the loss of body parts becomes the main cause of death of the patient.
Keep an eye on shortness of breath and oxygen level
Experts say that if a person does not already have any heart or lung disease, but is suddenly having trouble breathing and the oxygen level is falling below 88, then he should immediately go to the emergency department of the hospital. Lung related problems usually cause cough along with shortness of breath. If you suddenly feel muscle pain along with high fever and you have been in a place where rats are present, then ignoring it can be fatal.
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