When we think of respiratory viruses, names like COVID-19, the flu, and RSV often dominate the conversation.
But have you heard about Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)? While not as infamous as COVID-19, understanding HMPV is crucial in the fight against respiratory illnesses.
What Is HMPV?
Discovered in 2001, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been quietly causing respiratory infections for decades.
HMPV primarily causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections, with symptoms like:
- Cough
- Fever
- Nasal congestion
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
For most healthy individuals, HMPV infections are mild and resolve independently. But for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems, the virus can lead to more serious conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, or even acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Unfortunately, there’s no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for HMPV. Care typically focuses on relieving symptoms, such as staying hydrated, managing fever, and seeking medical help in severe cases.
HMPV vs. COVID-19: What’s the Difference?
It’s natural to compare any respiratory virus to COVID-19. After all, the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped how we think about infectious diseases.
However, while there are similarities between HMPV and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus behind COVID-19), there are also some key differences.
Understanding these similarities can make HMPV feel more familiar and less daunting.
HMPV and COVID-19 are both respiratory viruses but differ significantly in their characteristics and impact. HMPV causes respiratory infections with symptoms like cough, fever, and congestion. COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents broader symptoms, including loss of taste or smell and long-term complications like long COVID.
COVID-19’s longer incubation period (2–14 days vs. HMPV’s 3–6 days) allows more opportunities for transmission. Both spread through droplets and surfaces, but COVID-19 also spreads via aerosols, making it more transmissible. While COVID-19 triggered a global pandemic with billions infected and millions of deaths, HMPV remains seasonal and localized, primarily affecting vulnerable groups. Vaccines exist for COVID-19, reducing severe cases, whereas no vaccine or specific treatment is available for HMPV, highlighting their differing public health challenges.
The biggest difference?
COVID-19 caused a global pandemic, infecting billions and leading to millions of deaths worldwide. HMPV, while widespread, hasn’t caused the same scale of devastation. It’s more seasonal and tends to strike during the late winter and spring, often alongside RSV and influenza.
Another notable difference is the lingering effects of COVID-19, such as “long COVID,” A condition where symptoms persist for weeks or months after the initial illness.
HMPV, on the other hand, typically doesn’t cause long-term health complications.
How Can You Protect Yourself from HMPV?
Since HMPV Virus doesn’t have a vaccine or specific treatment, prevention is your best bet. If this sounds familiar, many precautions we learned during the COVID-19 pandemic apply here, too!
- Wash Your Hands Often
Good hand hygiene is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of HMPV. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser when soap isn’t available.
- Cover Coughs and Sneezes
Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when coughing or sneezing. This helps prevent respiratory droplets from spreading to others.
- Clean High-Touch Surfaces
HMPV can survive on surfaces for hours. Regularly disinfect frequently touched objects like doorknobs, phones, and countertops, especially during flu season.
- Wear a Mask in Crowded Places
While masks aren’t as widely used now, they’re still effective in reducing the spread of respiratory viruses, particularly in crowded or high-risk environments.
- Stay Home When Sick
If you’re feeling under the weather, take a sick day. Resting at home helps you recover faster and prevents spreading the virus to others.
- Boost Your Immune System
While no magic pill prevents HMPV, a strong immune system can make a big difference. Stay active, eat a balanced diet, sleep well, and manage stress.
Lessons from the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic taught us a lot about the importance of public health measures. These lessons can be applied to HMPV and other respiratory illnesses. By practising simple steps like hand hygiene, wearing masks, and staying home when sick, we can all play a part in reducing the spread of HMPV, flu, RSV, and more.
As awareness of HMPV Virus grows, we may see vaccine advancements or antiviral treatments. For now, understanding how it spreads and taking preventive measures are the best tools we have to protect our health.
By staying informed and proactive, we can keep ourselves and our communities safe—no matter what virus comes our way.