Many times when a person is diagnosed with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), he or she is already in the hospital because the flu-like symptoms have gotten worse quickly. The physical exam for HPS will include:
- Checking your breathing rate for rapid breathing, which may be more than 20 breaths per minute.
- Listening to your heart for an increased heart rate, which may be 120 beats or more per minute.
- Measuring your temperature, which may be 101° (38.3°) or higher.
- Taking your blood pressure, which may be lower than normal.
- Listening to your lungs for sounds that indicate the presence of fluid (pulmonary edema).
- Checking your abdomen for tenderness.
- Examining your skin for temperature and color. Your skin may be cool, clammy, or mottled.
Credits
| Author | Ralph Poore |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Terrina Vail |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Pierre Rollin, MD - Center's for Disease Control and Prevention |
| Last Updated | March 28, 2006 |
Author:Ralph Poore
Medical Review:Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Pierre Rollin, MD - Center's for Disease Control and Prevention
Pierre Rollin, MD - Center's for Disease Control and Prevention
Last Updated: 03/28/2006
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