What is the risk of hantavirus after cleaning mouse droppings?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 34, and last week I was cleaning out my uncle’s old storage shed, which had clearly been abandoned for years. There were mouse droppings absolutely everywhere, and I breathed in a lot of dust without wearing a mask before I realized the risk.

Now, five days later, I have a low fever around 99.8°F, some muscle aches in my thighs and lower back, and I feel unusually short of breath when climbing stairs. I read online about hantavirus, and now I am extremely concerned.

I do not know how to judge how serious my risk actually is or whether these symptoms are just a coincidence. Should I go to the emergency room right now, or is this level of worry unnecessary given my exposure? What tests would confirm or rule out hantavirus, and how quickly do I need to act?

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

Cleaning old, enclosed sheds with heavy mouse droppings can definitely expose a person to a significant amount of dust and irritants, so your concern is understandable. Hantavirus has been linked to this type of exposure, but in actual practice, it is still considered a rare infection, even after rodent exposure.

At the moment, your symptoms sound relatively mild. In patients who develop serious hantavirus illness, symptoms usually worsen noticeably over a short period of time, especially breathing difficulty, weakness, high fever, or chest-related symptoms.

Based on what you described, this does not sound like an emergency room situation at this exact moment if you are otherwise stable, speaking comfortably, walking normally, and not experiencing rapidly worsening shortness of breath.

However, since you had a genuine exposure and are now experiencing symptoms, I would advise getting evaluated by a doctor within the next day rather than ignoring it completely.

Usually, the initial evaluation includes checking oxygen levels, performing a chest examination, obtaining a chest X-ray, and ordering routine blood tests. Specific hantavirus blood testing can be done if the treating doctor feels the level of suspicion is high after the examination and initial test results.

Please do not remain at home if you notice increasing shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, bluish discoloration of the lips, persistent fever, or difficulty performing routine activities.

I have seen similar concerns in patients after cleaning old storerooms or farm areas, and most often the cause turns out to be dust-related irritation or a routine viral illness rather than hantavirus itself. However, monitoring your symptoms over the next few days is important in your case.

I hope I have addressed your questions and concerns. Please follow up whenever needed.

Thank you.