Human metapneumovirus swept across the US earlier in the year, according to reports. The virus, sometimes referred to as HMP, can cause lower and upper respiratory tract infections. Experts recommend that infants those with immunocompromised, and those who are elderly are at a higher risk of contracting serious illness as a result of metapneumovirus. Other people should also be treated with the same precautions similar to that of the common colds.
What exactly is HMP virus?
Human metapneumovirus is a virus of respiratory origin that belongs to the pneumoviridae family, the same family that contains respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) and the viruses that cause measles. It was first discovered within the Netherlands in 2001 by 28 children. ” The virus was discovered that the symptoms seen in those children from whom it was discovered were comparable to those that are caused by the human respiratory virus disease, which ranges across the upper and lower respiratory tract diseases to pneumonia and severe bronchiolitis. Researchers, who discovered the virus, have found that the majority of youngsters in the Netherlands were exposed to the human metapneumovirus, as well as that it was present among humans for more than 50 years.
HMP cases have grown by 36% more than prior to the pandemic.
Infections due to the metapneumovirus were on the rise throughout the US in March, according to per a report. According to reports from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), 19.6% of antigen tests and 10.9 percent of PCR tests for HMPV were positive between the beginning of March and mid-March. The figures are around 36% higher than they were before the outbreak. The virus is similar to seasonal flu that occurs that is common in the United States, and HMPV infections are prevalent in winter and run through the spring. The good news is that HMPV levels are down, as the report of UC Davis Health released in June.
What are the signs?
The US CDC includes cough as well as nasal congestion, fever and breathlessness as common signs of the disease that is caused by the metapneumovirus. The signs are most often seen in children, particularly those who are younger than 5 years old. age. “Most children who get infected with hMPV are age 5 or younger. A small number of children (5-16%) infected will develop a lower respiratory tract infection such as pneumonia,” states the American Lung Association.
How do you take care of yourself?
The HMP virus can be transmitted and can spread from a person who is infected to a healthy one by coughing or coughing, through shaking hands or touching them, as well as touching surfaces or objects with viruses upon them and then rubbing the nose, mouth, or eyes. “Currently, there is no specific antiviral therapy to treat HMPV and no vaccine to prevent HMPV,” declares the US CDC. To help prevent the illness, The US CDC suggests the following:
- Hands should be cleaned frequently using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching their nose, eyes or mouths using unwashed hands.
- Avoid direct contact with those who are sick.
It is suggested that people with the infection keep their mouths and noses covered when they are coughing or sneezing. cleanse their hands regularly refrain from sharing their cups or eating utensils, avoid kissing anyone, and keep to their homes in the event of illness.