human metapneumovirus Symptoms and prevention

Symptoms and Causes

The symptoms of human metapneumovirus are often similar to the common cold.

What are the symptoms of human metapneumovirus?

Symptoms of human metapneumovirus include:

• Cough.

• Fever.

• Runny or stuffy nose.

• Sore throat.

• Wheezing.

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea).

• Rash.

What causes a human metapneumovirus infection?

A virus—a small germ that uses your cells to make more copies of itself—causes HMPV. It’s part of the same group of viruses that cause RSV, measles, and mumps.

How is human metapneumovirus transmitted?

HMPV spreads through direct contact with someone who has it or from touching things contaminated with the virus. For instance:

• Coughing and sneezing.

• Shaking hands, hugging, or kissing.

• Touching surfaces or objects like phones, door handles, keyboards, or toys.

What are the risk factors for human metapneumovirus?

Anyone can get HMPV, but you’re at a higher risk for severe illness if you:

• Are younger than 5 (especially premature infants) or older than 65.

• Have a weakened immune system (from conditions like HIV, cancer, or autoimmune disorders, or from medications that suppress your immune system).

• Have asthma or COPD.

What are the complications of human metapneumovirus?

Sometimes HMPV causes complications. These might be serious and require you to be hospitalized. They include:

• Bronchiolitis.

• Bronchitis.

• Pneumonia.

• Asthma or COPD flare-ups.

• Ear infection (otitis media).

Diagnosis and Tests

How is human metapneumovirus diagnosed?

Healthcare providers usually diagnose HMPV based on your symptoms and health history. They might use a soft-tipped stick (swab) to get a sample from your nose or throat. A lab tests the sample for viruses and other infections. Keep in mind that you probably won’t be tested for HMPV unless you have serious symptoms.

Sometimes, your provider may also do a bronchoscopy or chest X-rays to look for changes in the airways of your lungs.

Management and Treatment

How is human metapneumovirus treated?

There aren’t any antiviral medications that treat human metapneumovirus. Most people can manage their symptoms at home until they feel better.

If you or your child are severely ill, you might need to be admitted to the hospital. Healthcare providers can monitor your condition and help prevent you from getting sicker. They might treat you with:

• Oxygen therapy. If you’re having a hard time breathing, a provider may give you extra oxygen through a tube in your nose or mask on your face.

• IV fluids. Fluids delivered directly to your vein (IV) can keep you hydrated.

• Corticosteroids. Steroids can reduce inflammation and might ease some of your symptoms.

Do you need antibiotics for human metapneumovirus?

No. Antibiotics only treat bacteria. Since HMPV is a virus, antibiotics won’t get rid of it. Sometimes people who get pneumonia from HMPV also get a bacterial infection at the same time (secondary infection). If your provider prescribes antibiotics, it would be to treat any secondary infections.

Prevention

Can you prevent a human metapneumovirus infection?

You can reduce your risk of getting HMPV and other infectious diseases by:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water. If you aren’t able to use soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Cover your nose and mouth—with your elbow, not your bare hand—when you sneeze or cough.

• Avoid being around other people when you or they are sick with a cold or other contagious diseases.

• Consider wearing a mask if you’re sick and can’t avoid being around others.

• Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Don’t share food or eating utensils (forks, spoons, cups) with others.