Yahoo Lifestyle How Worried Should We Be About the HMPV Virus?
Oh, good! In addition to the planet literally being on fire, there is yet another respiratory virus running amok. While we're already dealing with surges of COVID-19, the flu and RSV (plus norovirus, of course), we can add HMPV to the mix.
HMPV, short for human metapneumovirus, is seeing big upticks in China and India right now. If you're getting flashbacks to 2020, we see you. But should we be worried about HMPV? We checked with a handful of infectious disease experts to answer just about every question you have about HMPV, including how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
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What Is HMPV?
"HMPV stands for human metapneumovirus, which is a respiratory virus typically seen in the winter season," Dr. Zachary Hoy, MD, infectious disease specialist at Pediatrix, told Parade. "It can especially infect people in the extremes of age old or young or anyone with a weakened or suppressed immune system. It is in the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and can cause many similar symptoms."
Related: Is It Too Late for You to Get a Flu Shot?
What Are HMPV Symptoms?
According to Dr. Syra Madad, DHSc, MSc, MCP, epidemiologist at NYC Health + Hospitals and Lisa Olson-Gugerty, MPH, DHSc, CHES, FNP-C, associate professor of public health at Syracuse University, the most common symptoms of HMPV include:
Chills
Coughing
Fatigue
Fever
Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Shortness of breath
Sore throat
Wheezing
"The aforementioned symptoms are essentially self-limiting, meaning the symptoms resolve on their own throughout the illness," Dr. Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, MD, MS, medical expert and CEO of Dr. Nesochi LLC internal medicine practice, told us.
Certain demographics may present different symptoms, with some more severe (like difficulty breathing), especially in elderly or pediatric patients or those with compromised immune systems.
"In younger children or children with compromised immune systems it can sometimes cause bronchiolitis, which is a lower respiratory tract infection that may require a patient to be seen in the emergency room and started on oxygen," Dr. Hoy noted.
"In some cases, it can lead to more severe illnesses like bronchitis or pneumonia, especially in people who are vulnerable," Dr. Daniel D. Rhoads, MD, FCAP, Cleveland Clinic pathologist and chair of the College of American Pathologists' Microbiology Committee, told us.
Should I Be Worried About HMPV?
Finally, some good news: Probably not!
"I think that some are worried about the recent surge in HMPV in China and India because they are worried that this could be the start of another global pandemic," Dr. Rebecca Wang, MD, infectious disease specialist at Dartmouth Health, told us. "However, I would say that this is not something to worry about. Unlike COVID-19, this is not a new virus—it has been circulating in the community at various levels for many years. Like other respiratory viruses, numbers of cases tend to go up during the winter months."
Related: Power Up! 17 Simple Health Habits That Can Boost Your Immunity
Is HMPV Worse Than a Cold?
For most people, no, according to Dr. Hoy.
"HMPV infection most commonly results in a cold and does not have as many specific symptoms to tell it apart from other respiratory viruses," he explained.
Related: Top RSV Symptoms to Watch Out For, According to Doctors
Is HMPV Worse Than RSV?
Ehhh ... not really, but make no mistake: Neither of these is a picnic.
"You do not want to get either HMPV or RSV," Dr. Hoy warned. "RSV has higher numbers of cases each year and now has multiple vaccine options. There are no vaccines for HMPV. Symptoms are typically similar to other colds so I don't think HMPV is worse than RSV."
"It is in the same family of viruses as RSV," Dr. Jarod Fox, MD, infectious disease specialist at Orlando Health, explained. "Like other respiratory viruses, it causes upper respiratory infections. Most cases are mild, but infants, adults older than age 65, and those who are immunocompromised may have more serious illness and end up hospitalized. It is no worse or any better than other respiratory viruses like the cold and RSV."
Related: Signs of RSV in Older Adults According to Immunologists
Is HMPV Contagious?
Yep. Similar to COVID-19, "HMPV is contagious and transmitted by contact with other respiratory droplets, such as when someone sneezes or shares a cup or water bottle with someone else," according to Dr. Hoy.
Olson-Gugerty notes that you may also contract HMPV if you come in contact with contaminated surfaces (for example, touching a contaminated doorknob and then touching your nose, mouth or face).
Related: A Huge New Study Finds This One Super-Simple Thing Can Slash Your Long COVID Risk By Up to 50%
How Long Does HMPV Last?
Another similarity to COVID: A case of HMPV can last about a week, with symptoms peaking around the third day, Dr. Hoy told us. However, you can still be contagious for several days after you're feeling better and your symptoms subside. This is especially the case for patients with compromised or weakened immune systems.
Related: The 6 Vaccines Doctors Are Begging Everyone Over 50 to Get
Is There a Test for HMPV?
Like COVID-19, tests for HMPV involve swabbing the throat and/or nasal cavities. Most tests deliver results within 12 to 24 hours.
"When testing for respiratory viruses, some providers only routinely check for influenza and COVID-19, plus or minus RSV," Dr. Wang noted. "Other providers will order an expanded panel that also tests for other respiratory viruses. HMPV is typically included on the expanded respiratory viral panel."
Related: Everything Doctors Do to Avoid Getting Sick
How Long Has HMPV Been Around?
Even though you may only be hearing about it recently, HMPV has been here for a minute.
"It was identified approximately 25 years ago, but estimated to have been around for much longer, just never identified," Dr. Rhoads says. "It is now part of routine nasal swab testing and has had a spike in cases over the past 15 to 20 years because of the ability to specifically identify it based on molecular testing."
Related: You're Probably Blowing Your Nose the Wrong Way, According to ENT Doctors
How Do You Treat HMPV?
Some bad news: You can't do much beyond toughing it out. "HMPV is typically not treated with medicine to help cure the infection, but over-the-counter medicines can be used to treat the symptoms," Dr. Rhoads says.
"Unfortunately, there is no treatment. As we would tell a patient with a cold, the best course of action is to rest, drink plenty of fluids and avoid contact with other people as much as possible until symptoms subside," Dr. Wang advised.
Related: The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do if You Want To Avoid Getting Sick
Can You Get HMPV More Than Once?
You can, but that isn't necessarily terrible news: According to Dr. Fox, subsequent infections usually are much milder than the first.
"You can get human metapneumovirus more than once but typically the initial infection is the worst, which is why infants who have never been infected are more prone to severe infections as well as those with waning immunity such as the elderly and those with immunocompromising conditions," he explained.
As such, if you're in a vulnerable population or frequently around those who are, you'll still want to be pretty careful.
Related: The Top 2 Flu Symptoms Right Now, According to Doctors
Is There an HMPV Vaccine?
Not yet, but Dr. Rhoads says that researchers have been working on one, so fingers crossed that it's ready sooner rather than later!
Related: These Are the Vaccine Side Effects You Should Worry About, According to Infectious Disease Experts
How Can You Protect Yourself From HMPV?
You've heard these before!
"Those who are most at risk such as the elderly or immunocompromised may want to wear a mask when going out in public to help prevent infection," Dr. Fox told us, adding that an uptick in infections is normal in winter months. "Washing your hands regularly can decrease the risk of infection. People should avoid being around others who appear to be sick. If you don't feel well, stay home."
Dr. Madad also recommends avoiding touching your face, while Olson-Gugerty urges you to always cover your mouth and nose whenever you cough or sneeze.
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