Beijing: China is currently facing a serious problem with the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) as recent reports compare it to the COVID-19. The situation is similar to the emergency condition, with children being the most affected in the case of the virus spreading. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shared that the symptoms of HMPV are very close to those of COVID-19, thus leading to high rates of infections among the younger population. In the most serious situations, the virus can lead to pneumonia and require hospitalization for some children.
The common respiratory virus HMPV is often manifested through symptoms, which resemble the usual cold like coughing and nasal congestion. However, pneumonia can sometimes be a reason for it and also it shares a common behavior with a virus similar to that of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The this virus is a bING bING mainly found in young children, and bronchiolitis, a condition that makes breathing difficult for them, is a common symptom of this illness.
The Head of the Pediatric Ward at AIIMS, Dr. Rakesh Kumar, mentions that the majority of the HMPV cases occur in children except for five years old. This is mainly due to the fact that immune systems are not fully developed in this age range, which makes them more prone to infections. Because HMPV is a respiratory virus, it can easily penetrate the lungs of children through the inhalation of droplets in the air.
The quick dissemination of HMPV is an ominous issue for children in particular, especially those with comorbidities including asthma or bronchitis, who are then at a higher risk of experiencing severe illness. While a lot of children recover within a few days, those with a compromised immune system have delays in symptoms.
Epidemiologist Dr. Jugal Kishore discloses that HMPV is not a new virus since it was discovered in 2001. Even though the number of cases has been growing in recent times, he underscores that there is no need to panic. Instead, he encourages people to take the right precautions.
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