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Coronavirus or Hantavirus?
Coronavirus or Hantavirus: Differences and similarities between Coronavirus and Hantavirus
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In Summary:
Hantavirus
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a fatal respiratory disease that attacks humans.
It is caused by Hantaviruses common in areas infested by rodents that host the Hantaviruses.
Suitable habitats for the Hantaviruses include rural areas that are marked by increased forest coverage, vast farms, and fields where rodents live.
Coronavirus
Coronavirus is believed to have originated from an animal, probably a snake to humans.
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The first fatal coronavirus case was discovered in Wuhan, China.
Unlike the Hantavirus, Coronavirus is highly contagious.
CHRONIC AND ELDERLY (58 AND ABOVE) TAKE LEAVE
Similarities between Coronavirus and Hantavirus
Both Coronavirus and Hantavirus originate from animals.
In both cases, patients can fully recover if they are well taken care of.
Common symptoms between Coronavirus and Hantavirus include fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
In both Coronavirus and Hantavirus infections, there is no vaccine or known medication.
| The differences between coronavirus and hantavirus | ||
| Coronavirus | Hantavirus | |
| 1 | Caused by infection by coronaviruses | Caused by infection by hantaviruses |
| 2. | Symptoms develop between 1-2 weeks. | Symptoms develop between 1-8 weeks. |
| 3. | Common symptoms include fever, fatigue, a dry cough, body ache, difficulty in breathing, sore throat, continuous dry cough etc. | Symptoms include extreme fatigue, fever and muscle aches especially in the large muscles such as thighs, hips, back and shoulders-at times. |
| 4. | Late symptoms include extreme fatigue, a dry cough, body ache, difficulty in breathing, sore throat, continuous dry cough | Late symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath and a feeling of suffocation |
| 5. | First recorded in the City of Wuhan, China | The first case of Hantavirus infection was confirmed in May 1993 in the US |
| 6. | Having close contact with coronavirus patients increases the risk of transmission through droplets from touching, sneezing, coughing and shakinghands. | Home remains a primary risk for Hantavirus exposure |
| 7. | Contagious hence widely known all over the world. | Cases occur sporadically/ occasionally hence not widely recognized |
| 8. | Most coronavirus patients especially those who are young recover without any specialized medical treatment or care. The Elderly and people with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart problems are however likely to be seriously affected by coronaviruses. | Most hantavirus patients recover fully after infection. |
| 9. | Since this is viral pneumonia, antibiotics cannot be administered to coronavirus patients. | There is no known cure for hantaviruses, so antibiotics might as well prove futile. |
| 10. | Currently, there is no vaccine for Coronavirus | Currently, there is no hantavirus vaccine which can protect humans against hantaviruses. |
| 11. | Spread to humans from animals (probably a snake commonly sold at the China seafood wholesale market) | Spread to humans from rodents such as rats (common in rural areas, a suitable host for covid 19 viruses) |
| 12. | Can be prevented by observing social distancing and washing your hands regularly. | Can be prevented by reducing rodents in your home. |
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