Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

Medications

There is no known medicine that effectively reduces the risk of dying from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or shortens the length of illness in people who have HPS.

People who see a health professional for symptoms of fever and muscles aches and are suspected to have HPS should be given broad-spectrum antibiotics until it is known for sure whether HPS is the cause of the illness.

Studies have not yet proved the benefits of using intravenous (IV) ribavirin to treat suspected cases of HPS, and this treatment is not recommended.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: March 3, 2008
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Mark A. Rasmus, MD - Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
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