HMPV IN CHINA

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

 

After five years of COVID-19, China is now dealing with a new virus called human metapneumovirus (HMPV). This virus is spreading quickly and causing flu-like symptoms. People are worried about this outbreak because it is similar to COVID-19.

This virus got a lot of attention online because many people had to go to the hospital and got very ill. Social media reports say that hospitals and crematories are very busy because more people are getting respiratory illnesses. There are unconfirmed claims that several viruses, like influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19, are spreading at the same time. But officials still have not declared any emergency.

SYSTEM TO CHECK RESPIRATORY/LUNGS DISEASES:

To address rising worries, the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration has started a system to keep an eye on pneumonia cases that are not linked to any known cause. This move is important because more respiratory illnesses are expected in winter. The aim is to be better prepared and to create good plans for dealing with new germs, learning from the difficulties faced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SYMPTOMS AND TRANSMSIN OF HMPV:

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) causes symptoms similar to the flu and other breathing illnesses. These symptoms include cough, flu, high body temperature(fever), stuffy nose, and difficult breathing. In serious cases, it can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia. It usually takes three to six days for symptoms to appear, and how bad the symptoms are affects how long they last.

HMPV spreads through sneezing or coughing droplets of an infected person It can also spread through close contact, like handshakes, or by touching surfaces that have the virus and then touching your face. Experts say that young children, older adults, and people with weak immune systems are at higher risk for serious problems from this virus.

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR:

Doctors, including those at Cleveland Clinic, recommend that people see a doctor if they have breathing problems that don’t go away or get worse. This is especially important for those who already have health issues that could lead to more problems or if a fever lasts longer than three days.

WAYS TO PREVENT INFECTION:

To lower the chance of getting sick, health experts suggest keeping good hygiene. This includes washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds often. Try not to touch your face with dirty hands and keep a safe distance from people who are sick. Clean surfaces that many people touch, like doorknobs and toys, regularly to help stop the spread.

If you are already feeling sick, taking care of yourself and acting responsibly is very important. Wear mask to cover your mouth and nose if you are having cough and sneeze, wash your hands often specially when go to the public places where you need to touch the door handles, lift buttons or staircase railing etc, and do not share personal items like towel, clothes or even bedsheets. If you feel unwell, it’s best to stay home and rest to keep others safe.

NO TARGETED TREATMENT OR VACCINE AVAILABLE:

Right now, there is no specific medicine or vaccine for HMPV. The treatment mainly helps with symptoms and prevents problems.

COMPARING HMPV AND COVID-19:

HMPV and COVID-19 have some similar symptoms like coughing, fever, stuffy nose, sore throat, and trouble breathing. However, they are different in some ways. HMPV usually spreads more in winter and spring, while COVID-19 can spread all year because of new variants.

Some studies show that HMPV cases have increased three times in some areas after COVID-19 rules were relaxed. Experts think that because people were less exposed to germs during lockdowns, our overall immunity got weaker, leading to more respiratory infections when restrictions were lifted.

It is important to stay alert and follow safety measures to help prevent the spread of HMPV and protect public health right now.

 

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