Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that usually causes symptoms similar to a cold. You might cough or wheeze, have a runny nose or a sore throat. Most cases are mild, but young children, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for serious illness. HMPV is common — most people get it before they turn 5.
HMPV is a name that may be familiar to you when talking respiratory illnesses. This virus has a family with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which first became known in 2001.
Knowing that outbreaks typically happen in the winter, being extra careful during flu season is necessary. Most people will get this virus before they turn five, according to specialists.
If you or someone you care about is at high risk, knowing the signs and getting medical help quickly can make a huge difference. In order to get more knowledge of this widespread but unknown virus, continue reading.
Understand Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV)
The signs and symptoms of this virus infection may include from a little running nose to more serious pneumonia or bronchitis. Even though most people encounter HMPV before age 5, young children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for serious side effects.
Symptoms like cough, runny nose and shortness of breath tend to occur with this virus, which is most active in the winter and early spring. However, unlike the common rhinovirus-induced cold, it can cause more serious respiratory problems, especially for people who are at risk.
Researchers say diagnosing this virus based on only on symptoms can be difficult because it reflects other respiratory viruses such as RSV or the flu. While less serious than COVID-19 or influenza, it is a major cause of sickness in children and the elderly each year. This flu season, be cautious and informed.
Understanding the Growing Focus on HMPV
As the number of respiratory infections among children under the age of 14 keeps on rising in certain areas, such as northern China, the Human Metapneumovirus is currently being studied.
Cases are now reportedly rising in China. In 2024, 327 cases were reported in the country, a 45% increase compared to 225 cases in 2023. This increase comes amidst reports of rising respiratory illnesses in other countries, including China.
Hygiene and basic precautions, such as washing hands and staying away from sick people, are emphasized by local health officials as ways to decrease the likelihood of becoming sick.
Although there have been reports of cases worldwide, including in the U.S., experts emphasize that the majority of hmpv infections are relatively mild.
As with other common cold and flu viruses, this virus is most common during the winter season and causes symptoms like a runny nose, fever and cough, much like the flu or RSV.
Like many other respiratory viruses, his virus spreads through respiratory droplets that are expelled into the air via coughs and sneezes. You can also get sick by touching surfaces where the virus is present, such as a countertop or doorknob.
It’s a hardy virus and can live on surfaces for several hours. The incubation period, or the time it takes to develop symptoms after exposure, is between three to six days. We see HMPV circulate year-round, but cases tend to rise in the winter and early spring, according to the centre for disease control (CDC).
Thanks to technological advancements, the long-lived virus can now be more easily detected. According to health officials, the number of cases may sound concerning.
Preventing and Managing HMPV Infections
It is very important to understand and lessen the effects of hMPV. These are a few approaches:
Progress in Vaccine Development
There is no vaccine for this virus but researchers are actively working on it. In the same way that influenza vaccines protect against the flu, researchers are hoping to find a way to protect this respiratory virus too. It appears that there is hope for the development of an HMPV vaccine soon.
Good hygiene practices
In order to stop the spread of human metapneumovirus, simple hygiene practices that are also effective against other respiratory infections are necessary:
On a regular basis, take 20 seconds to wash your hands with soap and water.
When soap isn’t available, use hand sanitizers that contain alcohol.
Keep your distance from anyone who seems to be sick with a cold.
When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or tissue.
Things that are touched often, which include doorknobs, phones and countertops, should be disinfected.
If people follow these habits, they are less likely to contract or transmit HMPV.
Early Detection and Management
Detecting HMPV symptoms early on can help manage the illness effectively. Parents need to be alert for symptoms of respiratory distress in children, including:
Breathing that is rapid or strained.
The coughing won’t stop.
High temperature.
Feeling sleepy or tired.
Identifying early symptoms and seeking medical advice promptly is vital for adults, particularly those with health conditions, to avoid complications.
Managing Sanitized Surface
HMPV has an impressive surface life of hours. Doorknobs, switches and phones get a lot of use, so it’s important to keep them clean. As a result, the virus is less likely to spread through personal contact.
Enhance your immune system
An improved immune system can aid the body’s natural defenses against HMPV. Make sure you’re getting enough of fruits, veggies and whole grains in your diet. Fit in regular exercise, get adequate sleep and learn stress-reduction techniques like yoga and deep breathing.
Providing Respiratory Health Support Services
There is a critical need for supportive care due to the lack of an antiviral treatment for HMPV. Stay hydrated, take fever-reducing drugs as needed and consider using an air humidifier to help you breathe easier. Medical attention, including oxygen therapy, may be required in extreme situations. Paying close attention to symptoms in a timely manner may help in avoiding complications and speeding up the recovery process.
Healthcare Providers Role in Managing This Disease
In the event of an an epidemic, healthcare providers especially physicians and nurses play an important part in the management of Human Metapneumovirus patients. In order to decrease complications, early diagnosis is crucial, especially for high risk individuals who are young children, the elderly or those with prior health issues.
Specific test for HMPV does not yet exist, doctors frequently use respiratory tests and clinical assessments to figure out other possible illnesses, which include flu or RSV. Make an appointment with your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: persistent coughing, trouble breathing, or extreme tiredness.
Aside from advising on ways to lessen the possibility of the virus expanding, they can also suggest methods for effectively managing diseases. A mother who saw her child wheezing sought medical help promptly, which allowed for early symptom management and the avoidance of severe consequences.
Do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you have any suspicions of having human papillomavirus (HMPV). Prompt action will result in the best possible outcome.
The Impact of HMPV on Public Health
In terms of public health, the human metapneumovirus is very concerning, especially for at-risk populations. The severity of HMPV infections in children can vary from mild cold symptoms to serious respiratory distress, requiring further treatment and possibly even hospitalization.
It is less common than RSV in causing severe respiratory infections in children. Weak people and the elderly are more vulnerable. To make matters worse, disease can lead to critical complications requiring intensive care, which puts tremendous pressure on healthcare systems during peak seasons.
Think about Jane, a 75-year-old woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A mild cough escalated into a respiratory emergency that threatened her life and she ended up in critical care. Her experience emphasizes the serious risks that Human Metapneumovirus poses to people with a history of illness.
Or consider Mark, an elderly person who went to a community event in his area and caught human metapneumovirus without realizing it. A simple cough that developed into pneumonia required hospitalization.
Mark’s story highlights the need to safeguard individuals who are vulnerable, especially the elderly, during peak HMPV periods. The key is to be aware of the early warning signs and take precautions, like washing your hands frequently and staying away from crowded places when you’re sick.
Staying Informed and Prepared
The impact of Human Metapneumovirus on respiratory health warrants attention, despite the virus’s relative obscurity. It is possible to significantly lessen the spread of the virus by increasing awareness of it, developing early detection skills and implementing basic safety measures.
First things first: always wash your hands before eating or touching anything else, always cover your mouth when you cough and never leave home when you’re sick. These small habits can protect not only you, but also those who are at greater risk, including young children and the elderly.
A healthier community is the result of educated and engaged citizens. Together, we can reduce the impact of HMPV and create a more resilient environment by emphasizing the importance of hygiene and raising awareness.
FAQs
1. How serious is HMPV and what are the symptoms?
The symptoms of HMPV are similar to a cold or flu and it is one of several viruses often lumped under a broad definition of the “common cold”. It is not a notifiable disease like Covid-19 or influenza. There’s a range of others that are not notifiable because they are very common and lots of people get them. They make us feel terrible for a few days but if we rest and recuperate for a few days then we get better.
2. Is human metapneumovirus just a cold?
Human metapneumovirus most often causes symptoms similar to a cold, but some people can get very sick. You’re more likely to get severely sick the first time you get HMPV, which is why young kids have a greater risk for serious illness. You get some protection (immunity) from your first infection and then are more likely to have mild, cold-like symptoms if you get another infection. Adults over 65 and people with breathing problems or a weakened immune system may also get severe symptoms.
3. How common is human metapneumovirus?
Researchers estimate that about 10% to 12% of respiratory illnesses in children are caused by HMPV. Most cases are mild, but about 5% to 16% of children will develop a lower respiratory tract infection like pneumonia.
4. Is human metapneumovirus the same as RSV?
It’s not the same, but human metapneumovirus is similar to RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). It’s part of the same genus — or scientific grouping — as RSV (Pneumovirus), and can cause similar symptoms. The peak age for severe illness from HMPV is between 6 and 12 months, but RSV is more likely to cause severe illness in infants younger than 6 months.
5. Symptoms and Causes of HMPV
Symptoms include:
High fever (over 103 degrees Fahrenheit / 40 degrees Celsius),
Cough,
Runny or stuffy nose,
Wheezing,
Shortness of breath,
Sore throat, and
Rash.
6. What causes a human metapneumovirus infection?
A virus — a small germ that uses your cells to make more copies of itself — causes HMPV. It’s part of the same group of viruses that cause RSV, measles and mumps.
7. How is human metapneumovirus transmitted?
HMPV spreads through direct contact with someone who has it or from touching things contaminated with the virus. For instance:
Coughing and sneezing.
Shaking hands, hugging or kissing.
Touching surfaces or objects like phones, door handles, keyboards or toys.
8. What are the complications of human metapneumovirus?
Sometimes HMPV causes complications. These might be serious and require you to be hospitalized. They include:
Bronchiolitis,
Bronchitis,
Pneumonia.
Asthma or COPD flare-ups,
Ear infection (otitis media).
9. How is human metapneumovirus treated?
There aren’t any antiviral medications that treat human metapneumovirus. Most people can manage their symptoms at home until they feel better.
If you or your child are severely ill, you might need to be admitted to the hospital. There, healthcare providers can monitor your condition and help prevent you from getting sicker.
They might treat you with:
Oxygen therapy. If you’re having a hard time breathing, a provider may give you extra oxygen through a tube in your nose or mask on your face.
IV fluids. Fluids delivered directly to your vein (IV) can keep you hydrated.
Corticosteroids. Steroids can reduce inflammation and might ease some of your symptoms.
10. Do you need antibiotics for human metapneumovirus?
No. Antibiotics only treat bacteria. Since HMPV is a virus, antibiotics won’t get rid of it. Sometimes people who get pneumonia from this disease also get a bacterial infection at the same time (secondary infection). If your provider prescribes antibiotics, it would be to treat any secondary infections.
11. How do I get rid of HMPV?
The CDC states that there is no specific antiviral therapy to treat this virus at the present time and no vaccine to prevent it. Medical care is supportive, which means over-the-counter cough suppressants, decongestants and pain relievers.
12. How long can HMPV last?
The length of an HMPV infection typically lasts anywhere from 1-2 weeks, depending upon the general health and immune system of the host. Mild Cases: The symptoms usually subside in a matter of 7-10 days. Severe Cases: Recovery may be longer if there are any complications, such as pneumonia.
13. Can you get HMPV twice?
You can get sick with this virus more than once. In Wisconsin, it is most common in the late winter and spring.
Note: Commonly known as human metapneumovirus, this virus usually causes symptoms similar to a cold. Every person over the age of 5 has probably had it when they were younger. After a few days of resting at home, the majority feel better. But in certain cases, HMPV can cause major problems, particularly in younger children, older adults and people with compromised immune systems. Get medical help immediately if you or a child is having trouble breathing or exhibiting any other symptoms of a serious illness. It is much easier to control the virus and avoid complications if detected earlier stage.