Chilean Study Finds 21 Hantavirus Survivors Had Symptoms After 6 Months

5 articles · Updated · Euronews · May 12

All 21 Chilean HCPS survivors tracked 3 to 6 months after discharge still reported at least one symptom, and more than 60% said they had not fully recovered.
Patients averaged 11 to 12 lingering problems, including fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, memory issues, nightmares and sensory disturbances, showing prolonged recovery was not limited to the sickest cases.
Non-ECMO survivors also had long-term symptoms, while rehabilitation was concentrated in severe cases; only about 30% of less severe patients received follow-up care after leaving hospital.
Nearly 1 in 5 had not returned to work or school six months later, and 45.5% of ECMO patients reported stigma tied to fear of rodent-borne contagion.
The small study adds to evidence that surviving Andes virus infection can bring lasting physical, psychological and social harm, underscoring calls for multidisciplinary post-discharge care.

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