What are the symptoms of hantavirus?

Hantavirus illness has a long incubation: 1 to 8 weeks from exposure to first symptoms, with most cases presenting at 2–4 weeks. The clinical course depends on which syndrome the infecting species causes.

Early (prodromal) phase — both HPS and HFRS

• Fever, often abrupt onset (38–40°C)
• Severe muscle aches, especially thighs, hips, back and shoulders
• Headache, fatigue, dizziness
• Chills, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea

This phase typically lasts 3–7 days and is easily mistaken for influenza.

HPS (Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome) — Americas

4–10 days after the prodrome, patients develop a dry cough and rapidly progressive shortness of breath as fluid leaks into the lungs. Without intensive care (mechanical ventilation, ECMO), HPS is frequently fatal. Case-fatality is roughly 35–40% for Sin Nombre and Andes virus.

HFRS (Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome) — Eurasia

HFRS presents in five overlapping phases: febrile, hypotensive, oliguric (decreased urine output), polyuric (excessive urine), and convalescent. Severity ranges from mild Puumala "nephropathia epidemica" (CFR < 0.5%) to severe Hantaan or Dobrava disease with bleeding and shock (CFR up to 15%).

Hantavirus is a medical emergency. If you have these symptoms after possible rodent exposure, seek care immediately and tell the clinician about the exposure — early supportive care saves lives.