Symptoms Of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Dizziness

In the early stages of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, over half of patients complain of dizziness. This typically manifests in the first week of acute illness onset. This is usually accompanied by a severe headache, muscle pain, fever, and weakness. This symptom may be a result of mild hypoxia as the virus begins to affect the lungs' ability to adequately perfuse the brain with oxygen. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome also causes a sudden drop in blood pressure. In cases where a patient complains of flu-like symptoms along with feeling light-headed, a thorough history should be taken, with a focus on possible rodent exposure. Occasional feelings of faintness or unsteadiness may progress to loss of consciousness after a few days due to cardiogenic shock in the untreated patient.

Read about the next sign of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome now.