Hantavirus symptoms

Hantavirus illness typically progresses in two phases. Early symptoms are nonspecific and can be mistaken for the flu, but the disease can deteriorate rapidly into life-threatening respiratory or kidney failure within days.

Early phase (1–8 days after exposure)

• Fever, chills
• Severe muscle aches (especially thighs, hips, back, shoulders)
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain

Late phase — HPS (cardiopulmonary)

Within 4–10 days, HPS patients can develop coughing and shortness of breath as fluid fills the lungs. This phase can be fatal within hours without intensive care.

Late phase — HFRS (renal/hemorrhagic)

HFRS patients may develop low blood pressure, hemorrhage (bleeding from gums, nose, gastrointestinal tract), and acute kidney failure requiring dialysis.

When to seek care

If you have flu-like symptoms and have had recent contact with rodent droppings, urine, or nests (within the last 1–6 weeks) — or have been in cabins, sheds, barns, or rural homes where rodents may live — call your doctor or local emergency service immediately. Mention the rodent exposure explicitly.

This page is informational and not a substitute for medical advice. For diagnosis, contact a healthcare provider. Read more: Transmission · Prevention.