hMPV stands for human metapneumovirus. It is of higher severity and likelihood in young children, older adults and immunocompromised individuals. Transmission is through direct or close contact with infected individuals, coughing, sneezing and touching objects or surfaces containing the virus. There are no vaccines available for treatment at the moment. It causes upper respiratory tract infections and lower respiratory tract infections. Symptoms begin after contact and take 3-6 days to appear and are usually nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose, headache and coughing. The more severe manifestations include difficulty breathing, wheezing, fever, bronchiolitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. The secondary infections consist of central nervous system diseases and otitis media. Most cases resolve w/o treatment after 2-5 days. Management-resting, drinking plenty of water, ibuprofen or acetaminophen administering and supplementing oxygen and required fluids. It differs from COVID in terms of the virus family, incubation period, diagnosis and treatment.
There should be close monitoring and surveillance by the concerned health authorities and preventive measures such as avoiding sharing of utensils, wearing a mask, and avoid close contact with infected persons and staying at home when unwell.
Credit: https://www.osmosis.org, https://microbenotes.com/human-metapneumovirus-hmpv/,https://www.alamy.com/mumbai-india-06th-jan-2025-teacher-from-gurukul-school-of-art-paint-a-poster-to-create-awareness-and-remain-alert-about-the-outbreak-of-human-metapneumovirus-hmpv-on-the-street-outside-the-art-school-in-mumbai-five-cases-of-human-metapneumovirus-hmpv-are-detected-in-india-as-reported-by-the-media-here-credit-sopa-images-limitedalamy-live-news-image638240671.html?imageid=1F233BA3-9D0D-4D95-B786-0A094F69CEC4&p=473355&pn=1&searchId=bca1c21a2f36765afaf7e3fa2c536fbf&searchtype=0
Scriveners Online© 