HMPV is all over TikTok – but is the virus something to worry about?

teenage girl with braided hair sitting on sofa in her room blowing nose with a handkerchief
HMPV is all over TikTok: so, what is the virus? izusek - Getty Images


As much as we'd love to kick a new year off with a fresh slate and clean bill of health, sadly the reality is often very different: it seems like everyone is coming down with a cold or some virus or another right now. But there's one virus in particular, the Human Metapneumovirus, known as HMPV, which is garnering a lot of attention on socials and in the news – but what actually is HMPV, and is it really anything to worry about?

Eager to get ourselves educated on the symptoms of Human Metapneumovirus, which is reportedly on the rise in China, we asked Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor for her insights.

While videos of people wearing face masks in China are apparently going viral on some social platforms, causing some to worry that this could be the start of another wave of illnesses like the Covid-19 pandemic, government officials in Beijing have framed HMPV as nothing to be concerned about.

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Mao Ning, foreign ministry spokesperson, said last week that "respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season" and that things actually appear to be "less severe and spread with a smaller scale compared to the previous year".

Here's what you need to know about HMPV.

What is HMPV?

According to the expert GP, Dr Wylie explains HMPV as being a virus that causes respiratory infections, particularly in children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

"It is part of the same viral family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and was first identified in 2001, although it is thought to have been circulating in humans for many decades before that," she explains – meaning, this isn't a brand new illness. "HMPV is common worldwide, including in the UK, and tends to spread more frequently during the winter and early spring months, much like other respiratory viruses."

sick woman lying on orange sofa in pain
Carol Yepes - Getty Images

Is HMPV present in the UK right now?

Yes, says the GP – HMPV is present worldwide. According to the UK government's official national flu and COVID-19 surveillance report for the first week of 2025, the prevalence of the disease is "increasing slightly" in Great Britain right now. A comment in the report states: "hMPV positivity (laboratory surveillance) increased slightly to 4.5%."

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It adds that the highest number of those tested and found to have the virus are children. "Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) positivity increased slightly to 4.5%, with the highest positivity in those aged under 5 years at 10.0%."

What are the symptoms of HMPV?

According to Dr Wylie, the symptoms of HMPV infection "can range from mild to severe and often resemble a common cold or flu, and in more severe cases, particularly in young children or older individuals, it can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia".

HMPV symptoms to watch out for include:

  • Runny or blocked nose

  • Cough

  • Sore throat

  • Fever

  • Shortness of breath

These symptoms overlap with other illnesses such as covid-19 or the flu. If you want to rule coronavirus out, you could try taking an at-home test but there aren't any readily available tests for HMPV.

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What is the treatment for HMPV?

While there's no specific cure for HMPV, the GP says you can do all the usual things you would to relieve a cold or flu such as taking plenty of rest, trying over-the-counter medications for fever and/or pain and making sure you're drinking lots of fluids to try and flush your system.

"Severe cases may require hospitalisation for oxygen therapy or other supportive measures," Dr Wylie adds, and she explains that while it is possible to test for HMPV it's usually only done through specialised laboratory tests, using a swab taken from the nose or throat. "However, such tests are usually only done in hospital settings for severe or complicated cases, as the symptoms are generally managed without knowing the specific virus responsible."

Should we be worried about HMPV?

On the whole, no – but it's good to be aware of the symptoms and to chat with your own GP if you have any specific concerns. "HMPV is not usually a cause for major concern for healthy individuals, as most people recover fully with basic care," Dr Wylie notes. "However, it can be more serious for vulnerable groups, including very young children, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems. If someone experiences severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or high fever that doesn't improve, they should seek medical advice."

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This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before taking a new medication or supplement.

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