Physical Exam for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

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°F (38.3°C) 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.