Is HMPV the next big threat? Discover what it is, how it spreads, and why it’s important to understand this emerging virus.
HMPV Explained: Symptoms, Risks & Prevention Tips
What is HMPV?
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that causes flu or cold-like symptoms. The virus generally peaks during late winter and spring.
First identified in 2001 in the Netherlands, the disease is very common, infecting almost every child by the age of five.
How Does HMPV transmitted? HMPV Treatment?
According to Dr Sangeeta V Budur, just like any other respiratory illness, HMPV transmitted via respiratory droplets i.e. coughing, sneezing or contact with infected secretions.
HMPV symptoms typically appear within 3 to 6 days after being infected and often include cough, fever, nasal congestion, wheezing, breathlessness and sore throat.
There is no antiviral treatment or vaccine designed just for HMPV. The treatment focuses on managing symptoms, such as fever medications, staying hydrated and resting. Severe cases may require hospitalization and supportive care like oxygen therapy.
Why Are Cases Rising in China?
Like many respiratory infections, HMPV is most active during late winter and spring.
Some experts say this is because the virus survives better in the cold, and they pass more easily from one person to another as people stay indoors more often.
In northern China, the current virus spike coincides with low temperatures that are expected to last until March.
In fact, many countries in the northern hemisphere, including but not limited to China, are experiencing an increased prevalence, said Jacqueline Stephens, an epidemiologist at Flinders University in Australia.
Is HMPV Like Covid-19? How Worried Should We Be?
Is HMPV deadly? It is “a common virus that circulates in winter and spring,” WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said in Geneva, adding that its case mortality rate is “very, very low”.
Fears of a Covid-19 style pandemic are overblown,
the experts said, noting that pandemics are typically caused by novel pathogens, which is not the case for HMPV.
“Almost every child will have at least one infection with HMPV by their fifth birthday and we can expect to go onto to have multiple reinfections throughout life,” says Paul Hunter, a medical professor at University of East Anglia in England.
“So overall, I don’t think there is currently any signs of a more serious global issue.”
However, in some very young children and people with weakened immune systems, it can cause more serious illness.
Is HMPV a threat for Pregnant Women?
Women with the disease during pregnancy had an increased risk of giving birth to infants who were small for gestational age.
An intervention to reduce HMPV febrile respiratory illness in pregnant women may have the potential to decrease risk of adverse birth outcomes in developing countries.
Difference of HMPV / COVID-19 / INFLUENZA A
What can we do to prevent the infection?
- Good Habits: Develop good hygiene habits such as frequent handwashing and wearing masks to protect against the virus.
- Ventilation: Open windows regularly to ensure proper airflow indoors, reducing the risk of infection.
- Avoid Crowds: Minimize exposure to crowded or enclosed spaces, where the virus transmission is more likely.
- Boost Immunity: Maintain a balanced diet, exercise moderately, and follow a regular sleep schedule to strengthen your immune system against the symptoms.
In conclusion,
while HMPV may not be as widespread as COVID-19, it’s important to stay informed and take the right precautions, especially if you’re at higher risk.
Your health and safety matter, so make sure to follow guidelines and seek medical advice when needed.
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