Human metapneumovirus, HMPV: Virus you’ve likely never heard of suddenly surges in Australia – with thousands feared to have it right now
Human metapneumovirus, HMPV: Virus you’ve probably never heard of is suddenly on the rise in Australia – and thousands now fear they have it
A potentially deadly respiratory virus that few people even know exists is on the rise in Australia, with at least 1,168 people infected in NSW alone last week.
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) can cause upper and lower respiratory tract illness in all age groups, but poses a greater danger to young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
Although it usually causes a mild infection similar to the common cold – with nasal congestion, cough, shortness of breath and fever – complications can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia and be fatal, especially in people with weakened immune systems, such as people with cancer. .
Only flu, which was diagnosed in 1,424 people, was more common in the state than HMPV last week, according to NSW Health data.
The number of confirmed cases of HMNPV rose from 648 three weeks ago to 1,008 a fortnight ago, before reaching 1,168 infections last week.
HMPV cases – which are highest in winter and early spring – are also likely to be underestimated, as testing is sometimes not done when a patient is already positive for Covid or flu.
A potentially deadly virus that few people even know exists is on the rise in Australia, with 1,168 people infected in NSW alone last week. Two women are depicted wearing face masks
“Not only are we seeing increasing numbers, but we are also seeing that people who we would normally think of as having mild disease tend to have more severe disease,” Professor William Rawlinson from the University of NSW told IPS. at the University of NSW. Sydney Morning Herald.
According to the CSIRO, children under the age of five are the largest group of patients admitted to hospital in Australia for respiratory viruses such as HMPV.
There are no antiviral medications that treat human metapneumovirus, but most people can manage their symptoms at home until they feel better — and most won’t even realize that HMPV is the cause of their discomfort because they take it for a while. look like a cold.
But Professor Rawlinson warned that ‘people need to be aware that we are seeing a slightly more serious disease (now from HMPV).
“But we’re also diagnosing it more often now because we’re using much better tests,” he said.
Dr. John Williams, a pediatrician at the University of Pittsburgh who has spent his career researching vaccines and treatments for HMPV, said it is “the most important virus you’ve never heard of.”
Leigh Davison, 59, was diagnosed with HMPV in early April after attending a family gathering.
Her symptoms were so bad that she could no longer talk on the phone.
She said CNN: ‘I couldn’t say more than a few words. I started coughing violently and violently to the point where I literally almost threw up.”
HMPV usually causes a mild infection similar to a cold, with symptoms such as nasal congestion, coughing, shortness of breath and fever. But complications can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia and can be fatal (stock image)
Human metapneumovirus (pictured) can cause upper and lower respiratory tract illness in all age groups, but poses a greater danger to young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems
She was sure she had Covid, but after six negative rapid tests she became nervous about pneumonia because she has a weakened immune system.
Her doctor sent her to a host pit for tests, which revealed she had HMPV. “I was like, ‘What?’ Because it sounds really terrible,” she said.
The virus gave her severe bronchitis and she was hospitalized for observation.
It took a month for her to fully recover and she said that of all the respiratory infections she has had in her life, HMPV was “the worst I have ever experienced.”