Which combination of symptoms is characteristic of the early phase of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)?

• A. Fatigue, fever, and muscle aches
• B. Severe coughing, high fever, and rash
• C. Nausea only
• D. Headache and dizziness only

Answer: (A)

The early phase of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome presents with nonspecific flu-like symptoms, and the classic combination is fatigue, fever, and muscle aches. This trio reflects the systemic response that occurs before the lungs are involved, making it the best indicator of the initial stage. Other patterns don’t fit this early phase well: severe coughing with a high fever and a rash aren’t typical at the outset, nausea alone isn’t the characteristic presentation, and headaches or dizziness can occur but aren’t the defining cluster. Recognizing fatigue, fever, and muscle aches helps distinguish early HPS from other illnesses and highlights the need to assess potential hantavirus exposure, especially in people who have contacted rodent-infested environments.