Hantavirus: Symptoms

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is an infection carried by certain wild rodents, mainly deer mice.

After exposure, symptoms may not appear for one to five weeks.

Early hantavirus symptoms always include:

• Fever
• Muscle aches in large muscle groups (back, hip, shoulder, thigh)
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Cough

Hantavirus symptoms sometimes include:

• Dizziness
• Joint aches
• Shortness of breath (late in the course of the disease)
• Rarely, sore throat and runny nose

After 10 days, hantavirus symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath with the sensation of tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing

Tell your doctor if you may have been exposed to deer mice and you have these symptoms.