What is HMPV? Is it a new virus?
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus similar to other respiratory viruses (like RSV, flu, adenovirus, rhinovirus, etc.). It causes acute respiratory infection (ARI) usually with mild symptoms like cough, fever, and nasal congestion, similar to the common cold.
HMPV is not a new virus and is already in circulation globally, including in India, and was found in 2001, in the paramyxovirus family. It has a genetic relationship to the more known Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries in the past mainly in winter months and early spring.
Who is at higher risk?
It more commonly affects vulnerable groups, such as mainly young children, especially infants, and also the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems and coexisting medical conditions. These high-risk groups may sometimes have flu-like symptoms or complications like bronchitis and bronchiolitis (lower respiratory infection) or pneumonia (lung infection).
Children below 6 months and those having a pre-existing respiratory condition like asthma or COPD are at higher risk of HMPV infection, which may also cause a flare-up of their asthma or bronchitis.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms often are the same as other respiratory infections and can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:
- Fever: Low-grade to moderate.
- Fatigue and weakness
- Headache, body ache
- Cough: Persistent, can become severe with time.
- Congestion: Nasal stuffiness or runny nose.
- Difficulty in breathing: breathlessness, and in infants rapid/labored breathing, wheezing, and flaring nostrils.
- Increased irritability, reduced activity, and poor feeding in infants.
How is HMPV treated? Is there a vaccine?
HMPV infections are managed with general home measures, usually requiring no hospitalization. Diagnosis of HMPV is confirmed by RT-PCR/RT-qPCR. Currently there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment specifically for HMPV. Supportive care like hydration, a healthy diet, paracetamol for fever, and other symptomatic medicines are mainstay of management.
In severe cases, HMPV can lead to lower respiratory infection (bronchitis, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia), requiring medical intervention, oxygen therapy, and hospitalization. One should monitor for signs of respiratory distress especially in infants like bluish lips, lack of feeding, labored breathing, high-grade fever, severe fatigue, or drop in oxygen saturation on pulse oximetry, and seek immediate medical care if these occur. Early diagnosis and supportive care are essential for managing HMPV in infants.
Is there a reason for concern?
There is no undue concern, or reason to spread fear, as this is a known virus around for many years. There has been no significant increase in respiratory illness cases beyond the expected seasonal variations, seen as spikes in winter months. Infections due to HMPV and other respiratory viruses tend to peak in late winter and spring as is seen generally for all respiratory illnesses.
While HMPV can spread through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces, most cases are mild and resolve within a few days to a week, without any long-term effects. With appropriate precautions, one can effectively manage the condition and control its spread.
Ways to prevent HMPV, like any respiratory virus, is through simple hygiene practices like washing hands frequently, avoiding touching one’s face with unwashed hands, avoiding close contact with ill individuals, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and staying home if unwell. For those with symptoms, measures like covering one’s mouth and nose when sneezing, and avoiding close contact or sharing utensils and personal items with others, can help prevent transmission. Vulnerable sections of the community like young children, the elderly, those with respiratory conditions or other medical illnesses, and compromised immunity, should take care by monitoring symptoms, seeking medical attention timely, taking their prescribed medications regularly, and being up to date in their vaccination schedule.
HMPV infection is not similar to COVID, and does not have the potential to become a pandemic. HMPV infection is routinely detected in several children suffering from flu-like symptoms every year, and less than 5% of the HMPV cases require hospitalization.
Also read:
Common Cold and Flu- Know the difference, effective care and 10 alert signs