Hi guys, welcome to my blog. If we see news paper, news, and social media nowadays the present trending topic is HMPV. People were getting panicked by the outbreak of new virus and there were some rumors that there will be another lock down which is not true. So, in this blog I am sharing some information on HMPV virus.
HMPV, also known as Human metapneumovirus belongs to pneumoviridae family. It was isolated in the Netherlands by using RAP-PCR technique to identify the unknown viruses growing in cultured cells in 2001 and this virus is closely related to avian metapneumovirus.
History:
This virus existence was first reported in 2001. Human metapneumovirus were divided into four lineages- A1, A2, B1, and B2. According to serological studies, HMPV virus was already in circulation 50 years ago.
How HMPV gets transmitted?
HMPV virus get transmitted not only due to contact with contaminated aerosols, droplets, and infectious agents ( fungi, bacteria, and virus etc.,) but also by direct contact with the virus infected person. This virus incubation time is about 3-6 days in a person and it spreads quickly during fall and winter seasons.
Main Symptoms:
The person affected with HMPV virus has the following symptoms:
Which age group gets easily infected by the virus?
Normally, the infants with age between 6 to 12 months have the chances to get infected by this virus. Elderly people above 60 with weak immune system has high chances to get affected. Initially, the infection may appears like a cold, but it will cause respiratory infections like pneumonia, asthma, and COPD.
Tests and Treatments:
Tests:
If the person has cough, fever, and other symptoms he/she can take swab test to check the infection. Sometimes patient should undergo chest X-rays or Bronchoscopy to know the condition of lungs.
Treatments:
There are no particular antibiotics or medicines to cure this virus. One can manage themselves through home remedies and prescribed medicines if the infection is mild and it takes a few days to recover from sickness but incase of severity the person should be admitted in the hospital and must kept under observation. If the patient has hard time in breathing, fever, and getting getting dehydrated he must given oxygen therapy, IV fluids, and corticosteriods to reduce the illness.
Recent Outbreak:
In China, the cases peaked up during December 16th to December 22nd and it was reported that the patient has respiratory problems due to viral infection. Other Countries like India, Italy, Ukraine, and Malaysia etc., reported few cases.
Precautions:
We can prevent ourselves getting infected by this virus just by taking the same precautions we followed during covid times like using sanitizer, wearing mask, maintaining distance with the coughing or other HMPV symptoms person, washing hands with hand wash, and avoid contact with contaminated objects.
Since winter season is running please stay safe.
Hope my readers enjoyed the blog
Thanks for reading !!!
