HCW's caring for HPS patients are seronegative. This latter virus, while from the same family, is being called Andes virus. Difficult to diagnose HPS before day 7. IgM presence in acute disease is diagnostic. Western blot may also be used.
Survivors are frequently polyuric during recovery.
Prognosis is poor if the patient develops metabolic acidosis, prolonged PT and PTT's, if they develop high levels of lactate. Patients with fatal disease generally deteriorate from sinus bradycardia to electromechanical dissociation, ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. NO anti-viral drugs appear to be effective. 164-173 are as is. RSV causes a yearly outbreak of lower respiratory tract infections.