In Spain we hear a lot of a virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV) lately following the appearance of many cases in hospitals and the knowledge that it comes from China. With COVID in memory, and the state of generalized concern, both the World Health Organization and national health professionals have rushed to ensure that it is a slight condition in most situations, with symptoms similar to flu and a satisfactory resolution Without major complications.
Of course, like almost all diseases, there are cases in which the virus can be aggravated if it falls from the upper respiratory tract, being able to trigger a bronchiolitis or even pneumonia. To have this virus under control, experts insist on the need to identify and differentiate it from other better known conditions, for an early diagnosis.
What is human metapneumovirus
Metapneumovirus is, as its name indicates, a virus, which in this case It causes respiratory infections flu -like. Although initially it will not cause greater evils than congestion or cough with some tenth of fever, it can complicate and cause more serious infections such as pneumonia, bronchiolitis or asthma crisis.
This virus, from the ‘pneumoviridae’ family that causes a picture of acute respiratory disease similar to that caused by the respiratory syncitial virus (RSV), the flu or the common cold, it is not a new virus although now it has begun to talk a lot about it. In fact, Cinfa experts point out that it has been circulating more than five decades in humans, and that their main ‘victims’ are the Children under 5, the elderly, pregnant women and people with the depressed immune systemwhich may present severe complications and need hospitalization if you reach the lungs.
Thus the ‘new’ virus is transmitted
In countries with a temperate climate, cases usually appear between November and May. In Spain, the detection peak usually occurs from February to April, although, sporadically, there may be cases in other months. Like other respiratory viruses, metapneumovirus It spreads above all by air, through infectious respiratory particles that emits someone infected with breathing, coughing or sneezing. Thus, it is possible to get infected with being close to a sick person or sharing a closed space with her.
In the same way, the virus can penetrate the body If surfaces or contaminated objects are touchedand we get our hands to my mouth, nose or eyes. Once that contact with the virus is maintained, the incubation period is usually 4 or 5 days until the symptoms are visible.
Symptoms of metapneumovirus and differences with those of the flu
In the general population, the symptoms of this respiratory virus are usually mild, similar to those of a common cold or a flu. Among the most recognizable are persistent cough, fever, congestion and nasal secretion, pain generalized body and headaches. In the case of the flu, these symptoms do not appear progressively but rather abrupt, with higher fiber and extreme fatigue.
In the case of HMPV, it does not usually carry associated loss of smell or taste, and for diagnosis It requires specific laboratory tests such as PCR or a crop viral. The flu is diagnosed with simple and fast tests to detect the presence of influenza (types A and b). Although both viruses are transmitted similarly, through breathing droplets, the transmission speed is not large.
In the case of children, the most vulnerable receptors, metapneumovirus infection is usually somewhat more serious, since it affects the lower respiratory tract. Due to all these symptoms that can lead to more serious conditions, WHO recommends carrying mask in busy places, ventilate spaces, maintain hand hygiene With abundant soap and soap, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with dirty hands and strengthen the immune system with a healthy diet and the necessary daily exercise.
References
Immaculate Casas Arcecha, José M. Euros Bouza, Raúl Ortiz de Lejazu, Pilar Pérez Breña, Francisco Pozo Sánchez, Guillermo Ruiz Carrascos, Alberto Tenorio Abreu. ‘Microbiological diagnosis of respiratory virus infections’. Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology (SEIMC). Consulted online on March 7, 2025.
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