06/01/2025
What is HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus)
• With 71 lakh death due a single virus (COVID) infection, the scare of another lethal pandemic causes `Panic’
• which is quite naturalHMPV is an RNA virus and causes illness similar to Covid with fever, sore throat, body ache,
• cough and breathlessness (if severe)It belongs to the group which is same as Respiratory Syncytial l virus (Pneumoviridae)
• The virus, thankfully multiplies only in respiratory tract
• Usually it is self-limiting as in many other viral infections
• It affects more severely young children below 5 years and elderly and those who are immunocompromised
• It is transmitted by droplet infection (most frequent) and also by fomites (non-living objects)
• The incubation period is 3-6 days
• There is no effective drug therapy and no vaccine is yet available.
• Diagnosis is by RTPCR . Multiplex PCR is also available
• Usually it is a minor illness but can take a serious turn in young children, elderly and those who are immunocompromised
