User:Mr. Ibrahem/Hantavirus hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

Hantavirus hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a group of similar illnesses caused by certain hantavirus infections. Initial symptoms generally include headache, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and blurred vision. Later low blood pressure, kidney failure, and bleeding may occur. Onset of initial symptoms is generally 1 to 2 weeks following exposure.

Specifically it is cause by orthohantavirus of the Bunyavirales type. This includes Hantaan orthohantavirus, Dobrava-Belgrade orthohantavirus, Saaremaa virus, Seoul orthohantavirus, and Puumala orthohantavirus. The disease is typically spread when people breath in air contaminated by rodent droppings. Spread between people is very rare. Diagnosis is generally by blood tests. The hantaviruses in the Americas generally result in hantavirus pulmonary syndrome instead.

Prevention is by rodent control. Treatment is primarily supportive care and may include oxygen therapy or dialysis. Ribavirin may be useful if used early. NSAIDs should not be used due to concerns regarding the kidneys. Depending on the virus involved, the risk of death is 1% to 15%. Recovery can take weeks to months; however, people usually recovery fully.

About 60,000 to 150,000 cases occur a year. It occurs primarily in Asia and Europe with China and Russia having the most cases. In a number of regions males are more commonly affected than females, which is attributed to greater time outdoors. The first clear descriptions of the disease date from the 1930s. The underlying cause was found in 1978.