Get to know Hantavirus, a Virus that Appears in the Middle of a Corona Virus Outbreak

In the midst of the Coronavirus outbreak, some people may have heard the emergence of a virus called hantavirus. So as not to panic, let's recognize what hantavirus is and what are the symptoms that can arise due to infection with the virus.

The COVID-19 disease pandemic has not yet ended. In the midst of this epidemic, several media outlets had preached about the emergence of another virus called hantavirus. Unlike the Coronavirus which can be transmitted between humans, hantavirus can only be transmitted from animals, namely rodents, especially mice.

The number of cases of hantavirus and Coronavirus infections is also very different. Research shows that the number of cases of hantavirus infection only reaches around 200,000 cases each year, while the number of cases of Coronavirus infection has so far exceeded the number of cases of hantavirus infection.

Hantavirus and how it is transmitted
A hantavirus is a group of viruses that can be found in urine, saliva, and rat droppings or other rodents. Hantavirus is commonly found in mice located in forests, fields, and livestock. In addition, hantavirus can also be found in mice that are in the house, barn, and barn.

Hantavirus only lasts less than 1 week outside the body of its host and even can only last a few hours in direct sunlight.

A person can be infected with hantavirus in several ways, namely;

• Touch or direct contact with feces, saliva, or urine from mice that have been infected with hantavirus.
• Consuming food or beverages that have been contaminated with hantavirus.
• Breathe air or dirty dust that carries hantavirus.
• Touch or use objects that have been exposed to hantavirus.
• Bitten by a hantavirus infected mouse.

When infected with hantavirus, a person does not immediately experience symptoms. Usually, the symptoms of hantavirus infection will appear 2-4 weeks after someone is exposed to hantavirus.

Symptoms and Disease Due to Hantavirus Infection
Hantavirus infection can cause the following symptoms;

• Fever
• Shivering
• Muscle ache
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hard to breathe
• Fast heartbeat
• Digestive problems

If these symptoms are not treated immediately, hantavirus infection can cause sufferers to experience dysfunction or more severe organ damage, namely;

Lung Disorders

Hantavirus infection can attack the lungs and cause a disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). This disease has flu-like symptoms, but can get worse quickly and cause severe respiratory distress.

When this happens, people with HPS can experience lung swelling, lack of oxygen, and a drastic drop in blood pressure.

Kidney damage

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a disease that can also be caused by hantavirus. People who experience HFRS will experience symptoms of hantavirus infection and several other symptoms, namely red eye, skin rashes, drop in blood pressure, and impaired kidney function or even kidney failure.

Steps for Handling and Preventing Hantavirus Infection

Both HPS and HFRS are dangerous conditions. Therefore, people infected with hantavirus need to immediately get treatment from a doctor. If it has caused severe organ damage, sufferers of hantavirus infection usually need to be treated in intensive care or ICU.

To overcome severe respiratory problems due to hantavirus infection in patients, the doctor will install a breathing device (ventilator) on the patient, as well as providing drugs and fluids through an IV.

Meanwhile, to treat HFRS, doctors can provide drugs through infusion, oxygen, and dialysis to replace kidney function damaged by hantavirus infection.

In order not to be infected with hantavirus, you need to take precautionary steps by avoiding contact with rats or rat droppings, urine, and saliva. In addition, there are a number of other steps you can take to prevent virus infection, including;

• Store food in a tightly closed plastic container
• Eating nutritious foods to maintain endurance
• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after eating
• Closing gaps or holes in walls or doors of houses that have the potential to be rats in and out
• Maintain cleanliness of the house and the environment, and routinely mow the grass and wild plants around the house

When you clean a house or location that is a rat's nest, use personal protective equipment, such as gloves, masks, and glasses, to reduce your risk of exposure to urine, saliva, and rat droppings.

If you are bitten by a rat or in contact with mouse feces, urine or saliva, see your doctor immediately to make sure you are not infected with hantavirus or other diseases, such as leptospirosis.

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