Hanta Virus is infected by mices. Mortality could be of 50%
March 14 2006
Hanta Virus is from the family of Bunyavirida. Two groups derive from this family: one from the Old World (Asia and part of Europe) and the second from the Americas.
The first type causes fever with bleeding and affects kidneys. Mortality rate stems from 1 to 15%. The second type causes fever, respiratory insufficiency and shock. Mortality rate for this type is of 50% of cases.
How it is transmitted?
Humans get the virus by breathing saliva, urine and fecae of infected mices. It has been reported transmission through biting of mices and open wounds.
Symptoms
The virus affects humans by enlarging lungs (liquid) and allowing more vascular permeability. Early symptoms are fever, muscles pain, headache, aching breath and articular pain, nausea, throwing out, vertigo, sweating and cough. This first phase could extend from 3 to 6 days. After some complications as respiratory and cardiac could be present with a minimal ventilation and hemodynamic stability that could drive to a shock. This second phase could take 7 to 10 days.
Treatment
Humans infected need to be treated in hospitals of high complexity due to symptoms. Levels of oxygen should be closely monitored, also tension arterial, balance of liquids in the body and cardio lungs functions. Even tough information is not conclusive anti virus medication could be administered. After being cured, there are no future effects.
How to prevent it
There are no vaccines available. Prevention measures are based mainly in minimizing risk factors. Have under control mices population. Take special measures of hygiene in home like cleaning garden around the house, closing holes and fissures, airing rooms, stocking correctly food, disinfection of floors and places and not using aspirators and grooms that contribute to throwing dust
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