Hantavirus: Questions Your Doctor May Ask
Topic Overview
Medical history
If your doctor suspects you might have hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and you have symptoms such as a sudden fever and muscle aches, he or she may ask you the following questions.
Within the past 5 weeks, have you:
- Lived in or visited an area in which HPS cases have been diagnosed this year?
- Cleaned barns or other outbuildings?
- Lived in buildings where rodents are nesting?
- Lived in or visited an area that has a large rodent population?
- Lived or stayed in a cabin or other dwelling that has been vacant?
- Lived in or visited a rural area?
- Farmed or worked in areas near where rodents normally live?
If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, you may have come in contact with rodents that carry the virus that causes HPS.
If you have flu-like symptoms, no other signs of HPS (such as severe breathing problems or heart failure), and no risk factors for HPS, no further testing will be done. It is appropriate to monitor your symptoms in case they become worse. Your doctor may send you home with instructions about when to call if your symptoms become worse.
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ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Leslie Tengelsen, PhD, DVM -
Current as ofNovember 18, 2017
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Current as of: November 18, 2017
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Leslie Tengelsen, PhD, DVM -