Is It Just a Cold? Understanding Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)
It's that time of year again – sniffles, coughs, and that general feeling of being under the weather. While we often blame the common cold or flu, there's another respiratory virus making the rounds: Human Metapneumovirus, or HMPV. HMPV stands for Human Metapneumovirus. It's a common respiratory virus that can cause infections in the nose, throat, and lungs. Symptoms 1. Cough: This is often a prominent symptom, which can be dry or produce mucus. 2. Fever: You might experience a mild to high fever. 3. Runny or stuffy nose: This can involve nasal congestion, discharge, and sneezing. 4.Sore throat: You might feel scratchy or irritated. 5.Wheezing: This is a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing, often more noticeable in young children. 6.Shortness of breath: This can range from mild difficulty breathing to more severe cases requiring hospitalization. HMPV symptoms can be very similar to those of other respiratory illnesses like the common cold, flu, and RSV. This can ...