Given the past few years, who can blame us for being a little more worried about viruses and infections than usual? Most of the dangers of Covid-19 may have passed, but there’s other stuff around – like human metapneumovirus (HPMV), a contagious virus that can sometimes be deadly. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
What is human metapneumovirus?
HPMV is a virus that can cause serious respiratory illness and disease that was discovered by Dutch scientists in 2001.
Is it serious?
HPMV can be serious, especially in young children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems. Much like influenza, however, most healthy adults are unlikely to have to go to hospital as a result.
What are the symptoms of HPMV?
The CDC says that the key symptoms of HPMV are coughing, a fever, a runny nose and shortness of breath. In other words, it has very similar symptoms to Covid-19 and influenza.
Is it contagious and how long does it last?
The virus is contagious and is transmitted by coughing and sneezing, as well as personal contact with people who have the virus or surfaces that have come into contact with it.
According to the American Lung Association, most people usually get over the virus in two to five days.
Is there a vaccine and how is HMPV treated?
There is currently no vaccine for HMPV and nor are there any forms of antiviral therapy used to treat it. HMPV is usually treated by doctors by focusing on caring for the symptoms, with the hope that the body can then beat the virus on its own.
However, companies are working on a jab to help protect against HMPV. Moderna has apparently finished a recent study on a vaccine that could help protect against both HMPV and parainfluenza.