Does anyone here have a fear of hantavirus?

It’s a virus carried by certain types of rodents like white footed mouse and house mouse that could be fatal. It’s supposed to be very rare disease but rationale doesn’t work with OCD. There have been number of deaths-though not all are deadly and most happen in south western country. It attacks the respiratory so you’d experience symptoms similar to a cold virus. So it’s hard to detect that it’s caused by hantavirus which is why most go into icu later on. Also the symptoms can take up anywhere from a week to four weeks to show and you can contract by mouse/rat feces, urine, saliva etc. and you don’t know which mice/rats are infected by it. The virus is killed by UV light but indoors, not certain. But the virus can be airborne if rat/mouse feces were to be disturbed. Fortunately it can’t be passed along by other humans.

Thanks for the explanation, that sounds terrifying! Weren't there articles about people contracting the virus a few months ago?

Yes, OCD is irrational so I can definitely see how someone might feel anxiety about contracting it even though the cases are rare. The facts seem to be as follows: 1. Virus predominantly found in rodents in South America 2. Only 35 states have reported cases 3. Virus is transmitted by coming into contact with rodents/droppings/saliva. So what I'm telling myself right now is that if there are no rats/contact with rats, then I will be fine.

Have you spoke to management about the rat problem? There's laws about rats so they should take care of them right away

The management knows and the exterminator comes but it’s not resolved. I don’t want to let people come in because 1. I get anxious when people are inside my apartment 2. I don’t want them to kill the mouse. I’ve already had to bury one and in the garbage room on the bottom level, a mouse was trapped inside an empty trash bin and the squeaks made me sad so I let it out. I have a friend who is a lawyer that does health inspections with restaurants and tells me it’s okay but you already know how stubborn ocd is. Lol unfortunately in the city where I live in, it’s inevitable that you’d come to close proximity of a mouse/rodent. It’s actually strange because I didn’t have this issue before. And I know other people who have lived with a mouse or roaches. OCD really knows how to catch and grip onto you so tight that there’s no wiggle room.

Yeah, sometimes our living situations bring out our worst anxieties. If you don't mind me asking, how long have you know about the virus and had to deal with that knowledge?

Makes sense. A thought just popped into my head, based on your username, would you happen to have a cat? If so, I've always been told that cats take care of the rats ?

Hmmm, I wasn't a fan of dogs for the longest time until my family got a dog. Instantly, I felt differently towards dogs after that. 100% my life is better and I'm now a better person thanks to having a dog in my life! I think cats and dogs are actually very low maintenance and easy to care for. Compared to caring for my fish tank, caring for my dog is much easier! Cats I've heard are even less maintenance and even easier than dogs.

Choosing a cat would probably be the hardest part. My family didn't even want a dog but they were looking for a home for the dog at our church. So we took him home and he's been with us ever since. If we had to choose a dog, I don't think we would have had a lot more difficulty.

What is the hantavirus?

I was regretting writing that because I don’t want to trigger anyone. But it is terrifying. And yes I think it was a man in Arizona that had died. I read if you get flu like symptoms to tell the doctor you may have been exposed to hantavirus. And in my state there’s about five cases but still the very little chance. You know how people say “oh it can’t happen to me” but ocd says “you will be that person. It can and may happen to you”. My building has a mouse/rat problem but I hate killing them. It’s not their fault they have the disease and they have every right to live.

Unfortunately you are right. I’ve known about it about a year and a half. I think that’s when it started too.

Ahaha I am obsessed with cats but unfortunately I’m not allowed any pets. Only housebroken boyfriends. Lol I’ve thought about applying for emotional support pet but 1. I can’t even take care of myself, there’s no way I can take care of a cat 2. I’m scared what if the cat gets sick and I couldn’t do anything or it got sick because of me 3. I’m scared I won’t be able to just choose since there are so many cats in shelters and some other reasons. Sigh.

*I think we would have had a lot more difficulty.

I’ve had cats growing up and rescued so I know the joy and responsibilities I have. Which is why it’s difficult with my symptoms. I don’t want to be negligent especially when I can’t take care of myself. I’m really happy for you and your dog. They deserve every love and happiness. What kind of dog is it? I’d had a jack russel terrier. He had a sad background story.