Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Tuesday, April 10, 2018 by Zoey Sky

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a disease caused by hantavirus. HPS causes death in at least 38 percent all infected patients.

The term hantavirus refers to several groups of RNA-containing viruses which are members of the virus family of Bunyaviridae. These viruses are carried by rodents and they cause HPS or severe respiratory infections. HPS can also cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

In North America, HPS is not contagious. In South America, some investigators believe the strain of HPS there could be contagious. The incubation period for HPS is at least one to five weeks.

Known side effects of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

The side effects and signs of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome are often grouped into early and late stages.

Early HPS side effects and signs start manifesting at least one to five weeks after the patient contacts HPS linked to rodent feces, saliva, or urine. The early symptoms last about four to 10 days and may include:

Fatigue
Fever
Muscle aches (usually in large muscles in the back, hips, and legs)

Most patients develop these symptoms. Other symptoms that may occur in at least 50 percent of infected includes may include:

Abdominal pain (with diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting)
Chills
Dizziness
Headaches

Late side effects of HPS manifest at least four to 10 days following the early symptoms. These may include:

Chest pain
Coughing
Shortness of breath (may become severe)

Risk factors for HPS may include:

Association with rodents (e.g. their feces, saliva, or urine) or with dirt, dust, or surfaces contaminated with such items, through either direct contact or by aerosol.
Rural areas with fields or forests can support a large rodent population are areas that increase the risk of exposure to HPS.
Employees who work in areas that are possible rodent habitats (e.g. construction sites, crawl spaces, or vacated buildings) may also have increased risk of HPS.
The risk is greater among individuals who work in areas known to have produced HPS infections.

Body systems harmed by Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome may cause complications such as:

With a mortality of 40 to 50 percent, most HPS-related deaths occur within 24 hours of hospital admission.
Symptomatic recovery from HPS is often usually complete. However, some survivors have reported persisting myalgia, persisting tiredness, and weight gain.
Several studies posit that survivors of HPS have persisting renal sequelae along with chronic kidney disease.

Food items or nutrients that may prevent Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

The following foods or nutrients can help prevent Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome:

Buckwheat — Buckwheat contains lots of rutin that can help repair the damaged capillary walls.
Catnip — Catnip can help lower fevers that usually accompany viral infections like HPS.
Comfrey and fenugreek — These two herbs can help restore the harmed lung tissue. Additionally, they can encourage the drainage of fluid build-up in the lungs.
L-cysteine — A form of amino acid, l-cysteine can defend the body against viral infections.
Siberian ginseng — This herb can help heal the damaged passageways of the respiratory system. It can also enhance energy supplies and promote recuperation from diseases and health conditions that weaken patients.

Treatments, management plans for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

There is currently no definitive treatment for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome aside from early recognition followed by medical support (e.g. symptomatic medical treatment and respiratory support or mechanical ventilation).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with immediate treatment in an intensive-care unit (ICU), a patient may survive severe HPS.

Physicians have administered the antiviral medication ribavirin (Rebetol, Copegus) in experiments. However, to date, no clear data can prove that the drug is effective against HPS. When used against HFRS early in the disease, ribavirin can decrease illness and deaths.

Where to learn more

Summary

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a disease caused by hantavirus. HPS causes death in at least 38 percent all infected patients.

The side effects and signs of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome are often grouped into early and late stages.

Late side effects of HPS manifest at least four to 10 days following the early symptoms. These may include chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome may cause complications such as death (which may occur at least 24 hours of hospital admission); persisting myalgia, persisting tiredness, and weight gain; and persisting renal sequelae and chronic kidney disease among HPS survivors.

Foods and nutrients like buckwheat, catnip, comfrey and fenugreek, l-cysteine, and Siberian ginseng can help prevent Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome.

There is currently no definitive treatment for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome aside from early recognition and followed by medical support, such as symptomatic medical treatment and respiratory support or mechanical ventilation.

Sources include:

Herbs2000.com

MedicineNet.com

Patient.info

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