Condition Lookup
Category:
Viral Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Number of Conditions: 2
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
Category: Viral Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Symptoms:
fever; muscle aches; headache; cough; difficulty breathing; rapidly progressive respiratory failure
Root Cause:
Severe viral infection caused by hantavirus, transmitted through inhalation of aerosolized rodent urine, feces, or saliva.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Serology for hantavirus antibodies, reverse transcription PCR, clinical history of rodent exposure, and imaging studies showing pulmonary edema.
Treatment:
Supportive care, including mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress and fluid management.
Medications:
No specific antiviral medications; ribavirin is being studied for potential use in some cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, primarily in rural areas of the Americas with exposure to rodent habitats.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Exposure to rodent droppings, occupational risks (e.g., farming, construction), and camping or hiking in endemic regions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Mortality rate is around 35-50%; early supportive care improves outcomes.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory failure, hypotensive shock, and multi-organ failure.
Human Metapneumovirus
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
Category: Viral Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Symptoms:
cough; runny nose; fever; sore throat; shortness of breath; wheezing
Root Cause:
Viral infection of the respiratory tract caused by human metapneumovirus, particularly affecting children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
PCR testing of nasal or throat swabs, viral cultures, or serological testing for specific antibodies.
Treatment:
Supportive care, including hydration, antipyretics, and oxygen therapy for severe cases.
Medications:
No specific antiviral therapy; ribavirin has been studied in severe cases, but its use is not standardized.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common cause of respiratory infections, particularly in winter and spring; contributes to 5-10% of pediatric hospitalizations for acute respiratory illness.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age extremes, daycare or school exposure, chronic respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, and immunosuppression.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good, with most cases resolving spontaneously; severe outcomes possible in high-risk groups.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Bronchiolitis, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and secondary bacterial infections.