Author
Home > Health > What is the Difference Between Hantavirus and Coronavirus?

Guilherme Mazui

•4 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Hantavirus and Coronavirus?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

Hantavirus and coronavirus are two distinct types of viruses that cause different diseases. Here are the main differences between them:

Hantavirus:

  • Causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a rare and deadly disease.
  • Transmitted primarily by rodents, particularly deer mice, via their saliva, urine, and feces.
  • An average of 20-40 cases are reported in the U.S. each year, primarily in the west.
  • Cases are reported year-round, with a peak in the spring and summer months.
  • Fatality rate of about 38% in the U.S..
  • Treatment focuses on managing individual symptoms, and there is no vaccine.

Coronavirus:

  • Specifically, SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19, a respiratory disease first detected in late 2019 and present worldwide.
  • Spread mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
  • Can cause mild to moderate symptoms in most healthy individuals, but up to 1 in 5 young adults with COVID-19 may require hospitalization.
  • Spreads from person to person.
  • Fatality rate varies depending on factors such as age, underlying health conditions, and access to healthcare.
  • Treatments and vaccines are being developed and deployed to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both hantavirus and coronavirus share some overlapping symptoms, such as muscle aches, fever, headache, and fatigue. However, the diseases they cause have distinct transmission methods, fatality rates, and treatment approaches.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Hantavirus and Coronavirus?
  • Comparative Table: Hantavirus vs Coronavirus

    • Comparative Table: Hantavirus vs Coronavirus

    Here is a table comparing the differences between Hantavirus and Coronavirus:

    Feature Hantavirus Coronavirus
    Disease Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019)
    Cause Hantaviruses SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2)
    Transmission Spread by rodents through their saliva, urine, and droppings, with an average of 20-40 cases reported in the U.S. each year, primarily in the west Spread between people in close contact (within 6 ft) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and through people who are not showing symptoms
    Symptoms Varies by strain, but some common symptoms include headache, fever, muscle aches, dizziness, chills, and rapid heart rate Symptoms may be mild to moderate for most healthy individuals, but up to 1 in 5 young adults with COVID-19 may require hospitalization
    Prevention Preventive measures include avoiding contact with rodents, their saliva, urine, and droppings, and taking precautions during rodent cleanups Preventive measures include practicing social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands, and getting vaccinated
    Vaccine No specific vaccine exists for hantavirus infection Several vaccines have been developed for COVID-19, with some already approved for emergency use

    Please note that this table is a summary of the main differences between Hantavirus and Coronavirus. For more detailed information, refer to the sources provided.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.