A health expert has voiced concerns about an often-overlooked symptom of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which is currently on the rise and presents symptoms akin to the common cold. HMPV can exacerbate underlying respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
While coughing, fever, and sore throat are common symptoms, experts caution not to ignore a potential rash. Speaking to The Telegraph, Professor Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia shared, “It’s a totally different virus from flu, which mutates faster. All viruses mutate and evolve, but flu is the quickest to do so and the symptoms of flu are far more severe.”
A study from 2013 suggests that rashes may develop in five to 10 percent of children afflicted with HMPV.
Contrasting with influenza, HMPV usually doesn’t lead to muscular pain or nausea and does not impact taste or smell like COVID-19. Professor Hunter pointed out that testing is the only method to confirm the presence of viruses such as HMPV, though those with mild symptoms might forego it.
Diagnosis involves swab samples from the nose and throat, similar to tests for other viral infections, while bronchoscopies or chest X-rays may be used to investigate airways for severe cases, reports the Mirror.
Hunter recommends seeking medical help if you suspect HMPV and have symptoms like a high fever (over 103F/40C), difficulty breathing, or cyanosis. There’s no specific “cure” for HMPV; the advice is to “sit it out” with rest, hydration, and isolation to prevent spreading the virus, similar to flu or Covid measures.
HMPV typically clears up within a week, though coughs may persist longer. Despite rising global HMPV cases and images of mask-clad crowds in China due to a seasonal spike, experts are not concerned about a pandemic on the scale of Covid.
“Almost every child will have at least one infection with HMPV by their fifth birthday and we can expect to go onto to have multiple reinfections throughout life,” Prof Hunter informed the BBC. “So overall, I don’t think there is currently any signs of a more serious global issue.”
The UK Health Security Agency has also calmed public nerves, confirming that the increase in human metapneumovirus (hMPV) cases is following its expected seasonal pattern, with a 4.5 percent rise in reports.
They recently stated on social media: “You may have seen news stories about human metapneumovirus virus (hMPV) cases in China. We routinely monitor this virus and our data shows that it is currently following its usual seasonal pattern in the UK.”
They said: “hMPV is a respiratory pathogen closely related to RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus). It is associated with a range of illnesses from mild infection to severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Most people recover within a couple of weeks.”
How to treat HMPV: When it comes to tackling hMPV, antibiotics won’t make the cut because they don’t work against viruses. However, if hMPV progresses to bacterial pneumonia, then yes, antibiotics could step in for treatment.
On the milder side, over-the-counter salves such as painkillers, decongestants, and cough suppressants could ease those cold-like symptoms. But for anyone meeting hMPV for the first time, be prepared for potentially intense sick days.
Hsu Li Yang, an infectious disease maestro, chatted to the BBC about higher danger levels for younglings, old-timers, and particularly those with weakened defenses like cancer warriors – they could face nastier bouts and might even need a hospital bed to fight off the virus.