What is human metapneumovirus (HMPV)?
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that usually causes symptoms similar to the common cold. It often causes upper respiratory infections, but it can sometimes cause lower respiratory infections like pneumonia, asthma flare-ups or make chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worse. HMPV infections are more common in the winter and early spring.
Most people get HMPV before they turn 5. You can get HMPV again, but symptoms are usually mild after your first infection.
About Human Metapneumovirus
Human metapneumovirus was first discovered in 2001 in the Netherlands by Bernadette G. van den Hoogen and her colleagues. HMPV was first detected in the respiratory secretions of 28 young children in the Netherlands and had initially stood out from other common respiratory viruses because the testing methods van den Hoogen et al. had tried using (immunological assays using virus-specific antibodies and PCR-based methods using virus genome-specific primers) were only able to test for known respiratory viruses and, therefore, were unable to identify the novel virus.
It was not until researchers began applying molecular biology techniques that the genetic characteristics and portions of the genomic sequences of the virus could be identified; these techniques included the randomly primed PCR technique which obtained the limited sequence data needed to reveal a clear relationship between this new virus and the avian pneumovirus. It was this close relationship to AMPV that gave rise to this new virus being named human metapneumovirus to reflect both its identity as a metapneumovirus and its use of humans as a host organism.
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 Respiratory Illness Such as asthma or COPD.
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.
How it spreads
HMPV is most likely spread from an infected person to others through
- secretions from coughing and sneezing
- close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- touching objects or surfaces that have the viruses on them then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes
Prevention
Your patients can help prevent the spread of HMPV and other respiratory viruses by following these steps:
- Wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Patients who have cold-like symptoms should
- cover their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
- wash their hands frequently and correctly (with soap and water for at least 20 seconds)
- avoid sharing their cups and eating utensils with others
- refrain from kissing others
- stay at home when they are sick
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).
Testing and diagnosis
Since HMPV is a recently recognized respiratory virus, healthcare professionals may not routinely consider or test for HMPV. However, healthcare professionals should consider HMPV testing during winter and spring, especially when HMPV is commonly circulating.
Infection with HMPV can be confirmed usually by
- direct detection of viral genome by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT),
- direct detection of viral antigens in respiratory secretions using immunofluorescence or enzyme immunoassay.
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. There, 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.
How long does human metapneumovirus last?
Mild cases of human metapneumovirus usually last a few days to a week. If you’re very sick, it’ll probably take longer to feel better. You might also have lingering symptoms, like a cough, that take longer to go away.
How to take care of yourself if contracted?
You can manage mild, cold-like symptoms of HMPV at home by:
- Drinking lots of fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Taking over the counter (OTC) medications like pain relievers, decongestants and cough suppressants to help your symptoms.
REFERENCES:
- American College of Chest Physicians. The CHEST Foundation. Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) (https://foundation.chestnet.org/lung-health-a-z/human-metapneumovirus-hmpv). Updated 11/2/2020.
- Edwards KM, Zhu Y, Griffin MR, et al; New Vaccine Surveillance Network. Burden of human metapneumovirus infection in young children (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23406028/). N Engl J Med. 2013 Feb 14;368(7):633-43.
- Merck Manual (Consumer Version). Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection and Human Metapneumovirus Infection https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-issues/viral-infections-in-infants-and-children/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-infection-and-human-metapneumovirus-infection. Last reviewed 7/2021.
- Miguel C, Mejias A. Viral Respiratory Infections Including Influenza. In: Kline MW. eds. Rudolph’s Pediatrics. 23rd ed. McGraw Hill; 2018.
- CDC. Notes from the Field: Severe Human Metapneumovirus Infections — North Dakota, 2016. MMWR. 2017;66(28):486-8.
- CDC. Outbreaks of human metapneumovirus in two skilled nursing facilities — West Virginia and Idaho, 2011–2012. MMWR. 2013;62(46):909-13.
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