Many studies are shown that rats and mice worldwide spread over 35 different diseases which can impact people. Often, rodents transmit these infections and diseases to people when someone unknowingly comes into contact with rodent saliva, urine, or feces, or more rarely, if they are bitten. Hantavirus is a part of the Bunyaviridae family. It is carried by rodents and shrews, especially in brown rats, which are found throughout the world.
There are different strains of Hantaviruses which are transmitted from several species of rodents located in different parts of the world, especially cities along the coasts in the United States, parts of Mexico, Asia, and Canada. Different types of Hantaviruses strains are associated with different diseases and symptoms. The HPS (it is a shortcut for Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome) is an infectious disease that is characterized by flu-like symptoms and can progress rapidly to potentially life-threatening breathing problems.
Some types of Hantaviruses can cause Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. In the first stage, the signs and symptoms of Hantavirus include vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain; fever and chills; headaches and muscle aches. After four to ten days, more serious signs and symptoms appear and they include reduced heart efficiency, low blood pressure, a cough that produces secretions, fluid accumulating within the lungs, and shortness of breath.
This condition can quickly become life-threatening and as your lungs fill with fluid, breathing becomes more and more difficult. Your blood pressure drops and your organs begin to fail, especially your heart. It is very important to talk with your doctor if you have been affected by the Hantavirus, so you will know that some of the below-mentioned home remedies will not cause you side effects.
It is very important to prevent rodent infestation. If you have rodents and their droppings in and around your home, then you have a risk of Hantavirus. So, you should make everything to be safe from rodents. Family and friends can help you to keep your home or workplace safe and clean, so stay calm.
Here are some natural treatments for Hantavirus:
Strengthen and support your immune system:
It is very important to have a strong immune system because it can help you to stay protected from Hantavirus. Even there are some cases when Hantavirus is affecting people who are having a strong immune system. There are no drugs, herbs, or supplements which will be able to fully treat you if you have already had a Hantavirus infection. When you are increasing your immunity, then this can help you to recover quickly and it can help you to lower your chances that you will develop any serious complications.
It is very important to take herbs and natural vitamins, like Vitamin C, which can help you to have a strong immune system in order of prevention and quicker recovery from the Hantavirus.
Block access:
You should block access in your home to mice. They can squeeze through holes that are as small as ¼ inch (6 mm) wide. You should seal holes with cement, metal flashing, or wire screening.
Include supplements in your diet:
Some supplements can help you to feel better. Some of them include Omega – 3 fatty acids, which can help you to reduce inflammation. Also, you can take B vitamins which can help you to prevent fatigue. Magnesium is another option for you because it can help you to sleep and lower muscle aches. You can also take adaptogen herbs, like medicinal mushrooms, which can help you to overcome the illness.
Get extra sleep:
If you are feeling weak or fatigued, then you should get extra sleep to support your body during recovery. Also, you should hold off on any strenuous exercise until you feel much better.
Fluids:
If you suffer from Hantavirus and you have symptoms of fever, like vomiting and nausea, then you should drink high amounts of water to help prevent dehydration. In addition to water, you can eat bland foods, drink ginger tea, and other foods with high amounts of water. It is very important to drink enough amounts of water when you are experiencing diarrhea and vomiting due to the fever. Some foods which are having high amounts of water content include all sorts of veggies and fruits, especially apples, berries, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, melon, and leafy greens.
Also, you can add foods to replace electrolytes, such as greens, avocado, bananas, and other non – starchy vegetables. But, this should not replace the place of visiting your doctor or getting professional help for restoring electrolyte levels if needed. You should think about this as another layer of defense.
You should add antiviral herbs to your diet because they support the immune system. Some of them include grapefruit seed extract, activated charcoal, bentonite clay, garlic, oregano oil of oregano capsules, black walnut, and wormwood. If you ask yourself how antiviral herbs work, then you should know that they have a lot of mechanisms and protective effects.
Some of them include anti-inflammatory properties to support during periods of illness, digestive properties, cardiovascular properties, helping the body to combat pathogens that mutate over time, boosting the immune system by helping the body to attack viral pathogens, treating infections (typically while causing no or few side effects, like antibiotics).
Keep your home and yard clean to prevent attracting rodents:
You should not leave food, garbage, or scraps around your home, which can attract rodents and other animals. If you are spending time outside, such as when grilling in your backyard or camping somewhere, you should always clean up any waste and food. If you are suspecting that rodents are making their way into your home or infesting your yard, then you should take steps to get rid of them as quickly as possible. You should speak with an exterminator which can help you to trap the rodents in and around the home before the problem gets worse.
Minimize contact with rodents and their droppings:
There are some steps which you can take to eliminate, or at least to greatly minimize, the contact with rodents and their droppings, especially in places where you are spending a lot of time, like in your home or workplace. You may think that you are not coming in close contact with rodents or their droppings very often. But, some studies are shown that many people who have acquired Hantavirus did not suspect that they were at risk or exposed to rodents very often before coming ill.
If you live in a high–risk area inhabited by carrier rodents, then it is very important to prevent rodent infestation. Experts are recommending taking steps to minimize your exposure to rodents. You need to seal up any holes or gaps in the walls or your garage. In this way, rodents and other insects cannot make their way into your home.
Small mice can squeeze through holes in your garage or home which is small as the size of a nickel. Also, rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a half-dollar. Some places where you may find small holes or gaps inside or around your home include near laundry rooms, basements or crawl spaces, around furnaces or attics, floor vents and dryer vents, around doors, around furnaces or fireplaces, hot water heaters, and stoves, washing machines, pipes, refrigerators, under or behind kitchen cabinets, etc.
Also, you can put rodent traps in and around your home. This can help you to decrease your risk for infestation. Some people find that traps work best when you put a small amount of peanut butter on the bait pan of the trap. Then, the position the trap next to the wall so it forms a “T” shape. Also, there is another option, and that you can get help from getting a pet cat, which tends to scare away rodents from entering your home.
Safe cleanup procedures:
You need to wet down dead rodents and areas where rodents have been with alcohol, bleach, or household disinfectants. This can help to kill the virus and it can help to prevent infected dust from being stirred up into the air. When everything is wet, you should use a damp towel to pick up the contaminated material. Then, you should mop or sponge the area with disinfectant. You should take special precautions, such as wearing a respirator, when cleaning buildings with heavy rodent infestations.
References:
- What is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome? https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-hantavirus-pulmonary-syndrome. Published December 7, 2020
- Early Signs and Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). https://www.medicinenet.com/hantavirus_pulmonary_syndrome/article.htm .
- Symptoms of a hantavirus infection. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/hantaviruses/symptoms-hantavirus-infection.html . Published June 26, 2015
- Hantavirus Disease. https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/hantavirus/fact_sheet.htm .
