Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
In January of 2014, my Brother-in-law was admitted to a Greater Phoenix area hospital for body aches, flu like symptoms, and coughing up blood. 2014 was a very busy year for the flu and pulmonary issues. There were a lot of patients being treated for pneumonia specifically. This is what we thought was the issue with our family member.
Ray was an engineer in Northeastern Arizona. He often spent time in the cities of Page, Holbrook, Williams, and areas near the Four Corners region (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado). Ray was of Navajo decent, a demographic that was known to live in northern Arizona territories and into New Mexico. A couple decades ago this very area had been in the news for outbreaks of the Hantavirus.
Ray was an engineer in Northeastern Arizona. He often spent time in the cities of Page, Holbrook, Williams, and areas near the Four Corners region (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado). Ray was of Navajo decent, a demographic that was known to live in northern Arizona territories and into New Mexico. A couple decades ago this very area had been in the news for outbreaks of the Hantavirus.
Hantavirus is an infection one can obtain through contact with rodents who are carriers. If you aren't in contact with the animal directly, many cases stem from contact with the fecal matter or urine left behind by these mice. The virus doesn't affect the infected immediately, as scientist believe there could be an incubation period of 1-5 weeks. Once the infection starts taking course the individual will experience body aches, chills, and flu-like symptoms. Chest pressure, shortness of breath, and fluid in the lungs will accompany the virus' more sever second stage. If the virus isn't detected early enough, the result can be fatal. In fact, the mortality rate of those contracting Hantavirus are a staggering 38%.
Ray was 40 years old, 6 foot 3 225 lbs., and in good health/shape. The amount of pain and weakness that ensued didn't seem warranted. With fluid in both lungs, and symptoms common with the flu and pneumonia it really wasn't clear that these were not the cause of Ray's declining health. Ray passed away within hours of being brought in to the hospital, an infection that just ravaged his body. It wasn't til the autopsy was filed and received a few weeks later that Hantavirus had been found. I took a class in High School, Field Studies, my teacher stressed the importance of cleaning with a mask when dealing with areas that could have mice fecal deposits. I didn't really think this was something that affected people. For those who read this story, i guess it should raise awareness, because I don't think a lot of people know this exists and happens. If I didn't experience it first hand, i don't know if I ever would have thought twice about it.