I was exposed to mouse poop. Am I affected by Hantavirus?

Question

Hello doctor,

I was exposed to mouse poop. It was in my clothes, drawers and on the floor. The mouse was in my apartment. I swept it up. I was exposed to them for about three weeks. It has been 27 days since I have been around them, but today I am getting cough and scratchy throat. Does this sound like hantavirus?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. Hantavirus is mainly transmitted to people when you breathe in air contaminated with the virus especially when fresh rodent urine, droppings, saliva or nesting materials are stirred up; tiny droplets containing the virus get into the air. Normal incubation period is five weeks. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome initially presents with flu like symptom and later muscle aches. So, your symptoms could be due to hantavirus infection. But, do not worry. I would suggest you to consult a local doctor. Treatment consists of antivirals, antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). I would also suggest you to follow this preventive measure. Rodent access needs to be controlled with traps. Try to remove the rat excreta by gloves and not by brooms to avoid aerosol spread of the virus.