Human metapneumovirus, called hMPV for short, has recently worried many people over the world due an increase in cases of it in China. It’s one of the viruses that causes common cold, but for some it may actually cause more severe symptoms.
It’s spread via respiratory droplets in the air but can also be caught if you come into contact with a contaminated surface. Just like common cold, being near to an infected person will make it more likely that you get infected.
hMPV Symptoms
These include:
- cough
- sore throat
- fever
- blocked/runny nose
- aches
Which are all symptoms of common cold. However some people may experience infection of the lungs (known as pneumonia) or inflammation of the bronchi & bronchioles (airways to the lungs). People affected more severely will show it in the form of wheezing, fatigue, difficulty in breathing and a persistent fever.
Diagnosing and Treating hMPV
As for diagnosis, a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test can give reliable results quickly but it is typically not needed unless severe symptoms (such as the ones mentioned before) are shown. Treating it is usually done by over-the-counter medicine that will treat fever and stuffy noses, but getting rest is important to ensure your body has enough time to recover.
Why You Don’t Need To Worry
Contrary to what most people believe, hMPV is not a new virus. It was actually first discovered in 2001, so by now most people will have built up immunity against it. As well as this, it is rarely severe, meaning that catching it won’t mean you are in danger, even if the symptoms are more severe as getting relatively quick medical attention will help you.
Summary
Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory illness that is similar with the common cold, as it often presents with comparable symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, and fever. In most cases, it’s a mild infection that clears up on its own or with the help of over-the-counter remedies. However, in more severe instances, individuals—particularly young children, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems—might experience complications like pneumonia or bronchitis/bronchiolitis. Thankfully, these cases can usually be managed effectively with prompt medical attention. Since hMPV has been around for quite some time, most people will have some level of immunity from past exposure, which helps in keeping the symptoms mild for the majority.
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– Hamd Waseem
