HUMAN METAPNEUMO VIRUS (hMPV)
India has documented instances of Human Metapneumovirus, which has become a significant health issue originating from China. Although HMPV leads to illnesses similar to those caused by Covid-19, it is not a novel virus, despite the parallels drawn with Sars-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19.Although HMPV and SARS-CoV-2 belong to distinct viral families, they exhibit numerous similarities. Both viruses predominantly target the respiratory system, transmitting via respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces, and they induce symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Source www.indiatoday.com
HUMAN METAPNEUMO VIRUS is a virus capable of inducing respiratory illnesses affecting both the upper and lower respiratory tracts in individuals across all age groups. Young children, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to severe complications resulting from this virus
Table of Contents
What is hMPV?
- Common respiratory virus mainly affecting children and elderly.
- It causes upper respiratory infections like common cold.
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TRANSMISSION
Respiratory droplets, close personal contact and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus followed by touching mouth, nose or eyes.
SYMPTOMS
- Cough
- Fever
- Nasal Congestion
- Shortness of breath
- In severe cases- pneumonitis, bronchitis, pneumonia
HMPV primarily transmits through close interactions with infected individuals or via contaminated surfaces. Nevertheless, its transmission rate is slower than that of SARS-CoV-2, which reduces the likelihood of rapid and extensive outbreaks.
Although HUMAN METAPNEUMO VIRUS can lead to serious respiratory infections in at-risk populations, it does not exhibit the elevated mortality rates associated with severe cases of Covid-19. The majority of HMPV infections are mild, allowing healthcare systems to handle them with relative ease.
TREATMENT
Supportive management
PREVENTION
Do’s-
- Cover mouth and nose with handkerchief, tissue paper or elbow when coughing or sneezing
- Wash hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer
- Avoid crowded places
- Avoid public places if you have fever, cough and sneezing
- Ensure adequate ventilation
- Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food
Don’t
- Reuse tissue paper and handkerchief
- Keep close contact with sick people
- Share linen, towels with sick people
- Frequently touch face, mouth, nose, eyes
- Spit in public places
- Self-medicate without consulting physician
NOTE-
- HMPV is a common respiratory virus whose transmissibility is not as much as COVID-19
- Only 3- 10% of infections require hospital admission and only 1% pneumonia related deaths
- Infection generally lasts 2-5 days and is self-resolving
