A group of virus strains that spread through contact with rodents that cause serious bleeding or respiratory illness.

Hantavirus strains are in the urine, stool or saliva of rodents. People can breathe in the viruses. The viruses also may spread through rodent bites, scratches, contaminated food, or by touching the eyes, nose and mouth with contaminated hands.

Hantavirus causes illness that shows up in the lungs or kidneys. Early symptoms of an infection include fever, fatigue and headache. Lung damage with coughing and difficulty breathing is a symptom of later disease. Kidney disease symptoms include vomiting, bleeding and kidney failure.

Treatment of illness caused by hantavirus strains takes place in the hospital. Medicines help manage complications and ease symptoms while the infection runs its course.