Human metapneumovirus. Detected in wastewater. Mild respiratory symptoms in most people, more severe in the elderly, babies, and people with compromised immune systems. Easily mistaken for the common cold.
Everyone keeps saying to me, "but you're still young!"
"No, I'm 40... I'm not young at all."
Like in terms of biology, I'm unlikely to have a healthy child at this age (geriatric pregnancies start at 35), etc. I've been working over 20 years... Been out of my parents house more than half my life...
Usually takes them a few solid minutes to realize what 40 really means.
Congrats to your daughter! Hopefully everyone is happy and healthy!
>but if everything hurts when you wake up in the morning it's hard to feel young
Oh no thankfully nothing hurts. I do some yoga every morning, and I'm a regular swimmer... Plus nowadays I live in Europe, with no car... So walking/cycling everywhere.
My parents were always rather active, and I grew up in an area where I saw how eating right & exercise can help tremendously... So this is why people think I'm young. I look young and have lots of energy. 😂 I'm hoping to keep it that way and be one of those 90-yr olds who's still not on any medications (or at least can still comfortably get around town). 😬
Quick Google search pulls tons of articles. California virus: What to know about human metapneumovirus - Los Angeles Times https://share.google/4VMMzoZadI5OLAxms
Not OP but this is the article that Instagram post links to: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-04/human-metapneumovirus-in-california-what-you-need-to-know
Nor me. I just copied the title and pasted it into Google and got proper sources.
I think this sub should insist on good sources and no paywalls. Post the whole article.
"A virus without a vaccine or treatment is hitting California. What you need to know
Karen Garcia, Hanna Sender
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 2:23
Novato is one of the Northern California communities that have seen high concentrations of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, detected in local wastewater. (Santiago Mejia / Associated Press)
A respiratory virus that doesn't have a vaccine or a specific treatment regimen is spreading in some parts of California — but there's no need to sound the alarm just yet, public health officials say.
A majority of Northern California communities have seen high concentrations of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, detected in their wastewater, according to data from the WastewaterScan Dashboard, a public database that monitors sewage to track the presence of infectious diseases.
A Los Angeles Times data analysis found the communities of Merced in the San Joaquin Valley, and Novato and Sunnyvale in the San Francisco Bay Area have seen increases in HMPV levels in their wastewater between mid-December and the end of February.
HMPV has also been detected in L.A. County, though at levels considered low to moderate at this point, data show.
While HMPV may not necessarily ring a bell, it isn't a new virus. Its typical pattern of seasonal spread was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its resurgence could signal a return to a more typical pre-coronavirus respiratory disease landscape.
Here's what you need to know.
What is HMPV?
HMPV was first detected in 2001, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's transmitted by close contact with someone who is infected or by touching a contaminated surface, said Dr. Neha Nanda, chief of infectious diseases and hospital epidemiologist for Keck Medicine of USC.
Like other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, HMPV spreads and is more durable in colder temperatures, infectious-disease experts say.
Human metapneumovirus cases commonly start showing up in January before peaking in March or April and then tailing off in June, said Dr. Jessica August, chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa.
However, as was the case with many respiratory viruses, COVID disrupted that seasonal trend.
Why are we talking about HMPV now?
Before the pandemic hit in 2020, Americans were regularly exposed to seasonal viruses like HMPV and developed a degree of natural immunity, August said.
That protection waned during the pandemic, as people stayed home or kept their distance from others. So when people resumed normal activities, they were more vulnerable to the virus. Unlike other viruses, there isn't a vaccine for human metapneumovirus.
"That's why after the pandemic we saw record-breaking childhood viral illnesses because we lacked the usual immunity that we had, just from lack of exposure," August said. "All of that also led to longer viral seasons, more severe illness. But all of these things have settled down in many respects."
In 2024, the national test positivity for HMPV peaked at 11.7% at the end of March, according to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System. The following year's peak was 7.15% in late April.
So far this year, the highest test positivity rate documented was 6.1%, reported on Feb. 21 — the most recent date for which complete data are available.
While the seasonal spread of viruses like HMPV is nothing new, people became more aware of infectious diseases and how to prevent them during the pandemic, and they've remained part of the public consciousness in the years since, August and Nanda said.
What are the symptoms of HMPV?
Most people won't go to the doctor if they have HMPV because it typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms that include cough, fever, nasal congestion and sore throat.
HMPV infection can progress to:
An asthma attack and reactive airway disease (wheezing and difficulty breathing)
Middle ear infections behind the ear drum
Croup, also known as "barking" cough — an infection of the vocal cords, windpipe and sometimes the larger airways in the lungs
Bronchitis
Fever
Anyone can contract human metapneumovirus, but those who are immunocompromised or have other underlying medical conditions are at particular risk of developing severe disease — including pneumonia. Young children and older adults are also considered higher-risk groups, Nanda said.
What is the treatment for HMPV?
There is no specified treatment protocol or antiviral medication for HMPV. However, it's common for an infection to clear up on its own and treatment is mostly geared toward soothing symptoms, according to the American Lung Assn.
A doctor will likely send you home and tell you to rest and drink plenty of fluids, Nanda said.
If symptoms worsen, experts say you should contact your healthcare provider.
Infectious-disease experts said the best way to avoid contracting HMPV is similar to preventing other respiratory illnesses.
The American Lung Assn.'s recommendations include:
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If that's not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Clean frequently touched surfaces.
Crack open a window to improve air flow in crowded spaces.
Avoid being around sick people if you can.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Assistant data and graphics editor Vanessa Martínez contributed to this report."
My favorite is when my county posts notices only on Facebook (which I refuse to use), or allows me to sign up for emergency alerts only with a vendor that sells my info to data brokers.
No paywall for me outside the US “ — but there’s no need to sound the alarm just yet, public health officials say.
A majority of Northern California communities have seen high concentrations of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, detected in their wastewater, according to data from the WastewaterScan Dashboard, a public database that monitors sewage to track the presence of infectious diseases”
A respiratory virus that doesn’t have a vaccine or a specific treatment regimen is spreading in some parts of California — but there’s no need to sound the alarm just yet, public health officials say.
A majority of Northern California communities have seen high concentrations of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, detected in their wastewater, according to data from the WastewaterScan Dashboard, a public database that monitors sewage to track the presence of infectious diseases.
A Los Angeles Times data analysis found the communities of Merced in the San Joaquin Valley, and Novato and Sunnyvale in the San Francisco Bay Area have seen increases in HMPV levels in their wastewater between mid-December and the end of February.
HMPV has also been detected in L.A. County, though at levels considered low to moderate at this point, data show.
While HMPV may not necessarily ring a bell, it isn’t a new virus. Its typical pattern of seasonal spread was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its resurgence could signal a return to a more typical pre-coronavirus respiratory disease landscape.
Here’s what you need know
What is HMPV?
HMPV was first detected in 2001, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s transmitted by close contact with someone who is infected or by touching a contaminated surface, said Dr. Neha Nanda, chief of infectious diseases and hospital epidemiologist for Keck Medicine of USC.
Like other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, HMPV spreads and is more durable in colder temperatures, infectious-disease experts say.
Human metapneumovirus cases commonly start showing up in January before peaking in March or April and then tailing off in June, said Dr. Jessica August, chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa.
However, as was the case with many respiratory viruses, COVID disrupted that seasonal trend.
Why are we talking about HMPV now?
Before the pandemic hit in 2020, Americans were regularly exposed to seasonal viruses like HMPV and developed a degree of natural immunity, August said.
That protection waned during the pandemic, as people stayed home or kept their distance from others. So when people resumed normal activities, they were more vulnerable to the virus. Unlike other viruses, there isn’t a vaccine for human metapneumovirus.
“That’s why after the pandemic we saw record-breaking childhood viral illnessesbecause we lacked the usual immunity that we had, just from lack of exposure,” August said. “All of that also led to longer viral seasons, more severe illness. But all of these things have settled down in many respects.”
In 2024, the national test positivity for HMPV peaked at 11.7% at the end of March, according to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System. The following year’s peak was 7.15% in late April.
So far this year, the highest test positivity rate documented was 6.1%, reported on Feb. 21 — the most recent date for which complete data are available.
HMPV cases on the west coast are nearing last spring's peak
Percentage of tests administered that came back positive for human metapneumovirus
HMPV cases, as represented in a line chart of positive tests, neared 8% last April. This winter they have been steadily increasing, reaching over 6% in the week ending February 21.
While the seasonal spread of viruses like HMPV is nothing new, people became more aware of infectious diseases and how to prevent them during the pandemic, and they’ve remained part of the public consciousness in the years since, August and Nanda said.
What are the symptoms of HMPV?
Most people won’t go to the doctor if they have HMPV because it typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms that include cough, fever, nasal congestion and sore throat.
HMPV infection can progress to:
An asthma attack and reactive airway disease (wheezing and difficulty breathing)
Middle ear infections behind the ear drum
Croup, also known as “barking” cough — an infection of the vocal cords, windpipe and sometimes the larger airways in the lungs
Bronchitis
Fever
Anyone can contract human metapneumovirus, but those who are immunocompromised or have other underlying medical conditions are at particular risk of developing severe disease — including pneumonia. Young children and older adults are also considered higher-risk groups, Nanda said.
What is the treatment for HMPV?
There is no specified treatment protocol or antiviral medication for HMPV. However, it’s common for an infection to clear up on its own and treatment is mostly geared toward soothing symptoms, according to the American Lung Assn.
A doctor will likely send you home and tell you to rest and drink plenty of fluids, Nanda said.
If symptoms worsen, experts say you should contact your healthcare provider.
How to avoid contracting HMPV
Infectious-disease experts said the best way to avoid contracting HMPV is similar to preventing other respiratory illnesses.
The American Lung Assn.’s recommendations include:
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If that’s not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Clean frequently touched surfaces.
Crack open a window to improve air flow in crowded spaces.
Avoid being around sick people if you can.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Assistant data and graphics editor Vanessa Martínez contributed to this report.
Interesting that they're saying we're getting more infections because of lockdowns 6 years ago. And not, say, because getting Covid dysregulates immune systems and can lead to t cell exhaustion, leaving us all open to more opportunistic infections.
Yep this is almost certainly what I recently had and what my mom currently has. We couldn’t figure out what exactly it was but this sounds like this was it. I had all those symptoms; cough, sore throat, felt like something was stuck in my throat that I couldn’t get out know matter how much I coughed or tried to force out, slightly stuffy nose/congestion, having difficulty breathing, getting winded easier than usual, body weakness and fatigue, and it lasted a little over 2 weeks for me. My mom had a way worse cough than me but is also still dealing with these same symptoms almost 2 weeks now after contracting it. She had a few tests done that all came back negative and we didn’t know what this sickness was, but I’m pretty positive now that this was it. Thank you for sharing this information.
Definitely not a running circle scream and shout situation, but they kind of shrugged off Valley Fever until it spread to about four other states and it was no longer just affecting farm workers.
I have a cold right now that doesn't make sense. I don't usually catch colds. I thought maybe it was allergies but the congestion in my lungs didn't match. Well that's just super ☹️
I wouldn't have commented if it wasn't an unusual set of symptoms, and I live in the area they're talking about and others around me also report having weird cold-like symptoms.
I wouldn’t say its nothing… I had from Xmas Eve to just about a week or so ago and it was really uncomfortable. My kids have been coughing and uncomfortable for about as long as well. Its a bitch of a virus for sure
thiscouldbemassive | a day ago
https://www.instagram.com/p/DVe3xSvjE41/
The gist.
Human metapneumovirus. Detected in wastewater. Mild respiratory symptoms in most people, more severe in the elderly, babies, and people with compromised immune systems. Easily mistaken for the common cold.
Anti_Freak_Machine | a day ago
Damnitt. I keep forgetting im considered elderly now.
Salute-Major-Echidna | a day ago
Weird, isn't it? Having middle aged kids is weird too
Letmetellyowhat | a day ago
Amazing to me how middle age keeps moving up. I mean now you have to be 70 right? Don’t burst my bubble
Salute-Major-Echidna | a day ago
Right! It's because we're still young and fresh and work until 75 so that 'elderly' doesn't start until 85
Carrie_8638 | 17 hours ago
I’ve heard WHO has recently revised their age brackets so that now people under 45 are considered youth
MermaidsHaveWifi | 14 hours ago
So the WHO says I have 10 more years in my “youth”? Awesome! I should let my neck pain know!
Carrie_8638 | 14 hours ago
In 10 years they can hike it again, so maybe even more😉
MermaidsHaveWifi | 13 hours ago
I always say you’re only as old as you feel. Mentally, I still feel young. But I should probably buy better pillows haha
Salute-Major-Echidna | 12 hours ago
Because we have to work and additional ten years
serrated_edge321 | a day ago
Everyone keeps saying to me, "but you're still young!"
"No, I'm 40... I'm not young at all."
Like in terms of biology, I'm unlikely to have a healthy child at this age (geriatric pregnancies start at 35), etc. I've been working over 20 years... Been out of my parents house more than half my life...
Usually takes them a few solid minutes to realize what 40 really means.
Salute-Major-Echidna | 12 hours ago
My daughter just had her first baby at 41. Naturally she spent a fortune on IVF.
To me you're young, or at least younger, but if everything hurts when you wake up in the morning it's hard to feel young
serrated_edge321 | 6 hours ago
Congrats to your daughter! Hopefully everyone is happy and healthy!
>but if everything hurts when you wake up in the morning it's hard to feel young
Oh no thankfully nothing hurts. I do some yoga every morning, and I'm a regular swimmer... Plus nowadays I live in Europe, with no car... So walking/cycling everywhere.
My parents were always rather active, and I grew up in an area where I saw how eating right & exercise can help tremendously... So this is why people think I'm young. I look young and have lots of energy. 😂 I'm hoping to keep it that way and be one of those 90-yr olds who's still not on any medications (or at least can still comfortably get around town). 😬
Nisseliten | a day ago
It is super weird being the same age as old people if we’re being honest.. It doesn’t feel right
Soil2Star | 11 hours ago
I know people younger than I am who are older than me. Super weird.
WhirlygigStudio | a day ago
Forgetting is a sign of being elderly
lazylion_ca | a day ago
It's weird being the same age as old people.
garathnor | a day ago
important note
MOST virus/bacteria dont have a cure or vaccine, this is because most dont kill or greatly affect people to the point we needed to develop one
tlivingd | a day ago
Shit I swear this is hitting milwaukee right now. Or in the last month or so.
thegirlisok | a day ago
Yeah we had similar and all tested negative for COVID.
Defacto_Champ | a day ago
Lots of viruses and bacteria out there that cause common cold symptoms
ArtVandleay | a day ago
Live in MKE and my wife as a nasty cold right now. A week ago she was in Las Vegas
kenelevn | a day ago
She broke the cardinal rule and brought something back?
Salute-Major-Echidna | a day ago
But... thats the point of Las Vegas. It stays there!
Salute-Major-Echidna | a day ago
Can you post the actual article please? I don't have an Instagram account
GN0K | a day ago
Quick Google search pulls tons of articles. California virus: What to know about human metapneumovirus - Los Angeles Times https://share.google/4VMMzoZadI5OLAxms
10v1 | 19 hours ago
Of course, COVID-26 would crop it's ugly head up with the beginning of world war 3.
Thundersson1978 | 14 hours ago
Hmmm this sounds like what I’ve been trying to fight off for a month. Ironically, my state has more people moving here from California every year.
DyKdv2Aw | 8 hours ago
Most people have compromised immune systems now after multiple covid infections 🙃
Salute-Major-Echidna | a day ago
Can you post the actual article please? I don't have an Instagram account
BrattyBookworm | 23 hours ago
Not OP but this is the article that Instagram post links to: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-04/human-metapneumovirus-in-california-what-you-need-to-know
2Throwscrewsatit | a day ago
Gotta love important public health messages behind a paywall. Guess I don’t need to know
[OP] bananaslingrider | a day ago
Sorry, there was no payroll for me and I don’t subscribe. You can always use archive.
Basicly-Inevitable | a day ago
No payroll for me, either.
Xx_GetSniped_xX | a day ago
There is no paywall. There is a popup about subscribing but you can press the x to get rid of it
2Throwscrewsatit | a day ago
Doesn’t work for me
Salute-Major-Echidna | a day ago
Nor me. I just copied the title and pasted it into Google and got proper sources.
I think this sub should insist on good sources and no paywalls. Post the whole article.
"A virus without a vaccine or treatment is hitting California. What you need to know Karen Garcia, Hanna Sender Wed, March 4, 2026 at 2:23 Novato is one of the Northern California communities that have seen high concentrations of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, detected in local wastewater. (Santiago Mejia / Associated Press)
A respiratory virus that doesn't have a vaccine or a specific treatment regimen is spreading in some parts of California — but there's no need to sound the alarm just yet, public health officials say.
A majority of Northern California communities have seen high concentrations of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, detected in their wastewater, according to data from the WastewaterScan Dashboard, a public database that monitors sewage to track the presence of infectious diseases.
A Los Angeles Times data analysis found the communities of Merced in the San Joaquin Valley, and Novato and Sunnyvale in the San Francisco Bay Area have seen increases in HMPV levels in their wastewater between mid-December and the end of February.
HMPV has also been detected in L.A. County, though at levels considered low to moderate at this point, data show.
While HMPV may not necessarily ring a bell, it isn't a new virus. Its typical pattern of seasonal spread was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its resurgence could signal a return to a more typical pre-coronavirus respiratory disease landscape.
Here's what you need to know.
What is HMPV? HMPV was first detected in 2001, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's transmitted by close contact with someone who is infected or by touching a contaminated surface, said Dr. Neha Nanda, chief of infectious diseases and hospital epidemiologist for Keck Medicine of USC.
Like other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, HMPV spreads and is more durable in colder temperatures, infectious-disease experts say.
Human metapneumovirus cases commonly start showing up in January before peaking in March or April and then tailing off in June, said Dr. Jessica August, chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa.
However, as was the case with many respiratory viruses, COVID disrupted that seasonal trend.
Why are we talking about HMPV now? Before the pandemic hit in 2020, Americans were regularly exposed to seasonal viruses like HMPV and developed a degree of natural immunity, August said.
That protection waned during the pandemic, as people stayed home or kept their distance from others. So when people resumed normal activities, they were more vulnerable to the virus. Unlike other viruses, there isn't a vaccine for human metapneumovirus.
"That's why after the pandemic we saw record-breaking childhood viral illnesses because we lacked the usual immunity that we had, just from lack of exposure," August said. "All of that also led to longer viral seasons, more severe illness. But all of these things have settled down in many respects."
In 2024, the national test positivity for HMPV peaked at 11.7% at the end of March, according to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System. The following year's peak was 7.15% in late April.
So far this year, the highest test positivity rate documented was 6.1%, reported on Feb. 21 — the most recent date for which complete data are available.
While the seasonal spread of viruses like HMPV is nothing new, people became more aware of infectious diseases and how to prevent them during the pandemic, and they've remained part of the public consciousness in the years since, August and Nanda said.
What are the symptoms of HMPV? Most people won't go to the doctor if they have HMPV because it typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms that include cough, fever, nasal congestion and sore throat.
HMPV infection can progress to:
An asthma attack and reactive airway disease (wheezing and difficulty breathing)
Middle ear infections behind the ear drum
Croup, also known as "barking" cough — an infection of the vocal cords, windpipe and sometimes the larger airways in the lungs
Bronchitis
Fever
Anyone can contract human metapneumovirus, but those who are immunocompromised or have other underlying medical conditions are at particular risk of developing severe disease — including pneumonia. Young children and older adults are also considered higher-risk groups, Nanda said.
What is the treatment for HMPV? There is no specified treatment protocol or antiviral medication for HMPV. However, it's common for an infection to clear up on its own and treatment is mostly geared toward soothing symptoms, according to the American Lung Assn.
A doctor will likely send you home and tell you to rest and drink plenty of fluids, Nanda said.
If symptoms worsen, experts say you should contact your healthcare provider.
Infectious-disease experts said the best way to avoid contracting HMPV is similar to preventing other respiratory illnesses.
The American Lung Assn.'s recommendations include:
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If that's not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Clean frequently touched surfaces.
Crack open a window to improve air flow in crowded spaces.
Avoid being around sick people if you can.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Assistant data and graphics editor Vanessa Martínez contributed to this report."
nonnonplussed73 | a day ago
Which is unpressable when framed within the reddit app.
If you open it within your default browser it should work.
Additional_Roll9626 | a day ago
Works fine in the reddit browser on Android
fighterpilottim | 7 hours ago
My favorite is when my county posts notices only on Facebook (which I refuse to use), or allows me to sign up for emergency alerts only with a vendor that sells my info to data brokers.
SafariNZ | a day ago
No paywall for me outside the US “ — but there’s no need to sound the alarm just yet, public health officials say.
A majority of Northern California communities have seen high concentrations of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, detected in their wastewater, according to data from the WastewaterScan Dashboard, a public database that monitors sewage to track the presence of infectious diseases”
Unlikely_Comment_104 | a day ago
A respiratory virus that doesn’t have a vaccine or a specific treatment regimen is spreading in some parts of California — but there’s no need to sound the alarm just yet, public health officials say.
A majority of Northern California communities have seen high concentrations of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, detected in their wastewater, according to data from the WastewaterScan Dashboard, a public database that monitors sewage to track the presence of infectious diseases.
A Los Angeles Times data analysis found the communities of Merced in the San Joaquin Valley, and Novato and Sunnyvale in the San Francisco Bay Area have seen increases in HMPV levels in their wastewater between mid-December and the end of February.
HMPV has also been detected in L.A. County, though at levels considered low to moderate at this point, data show.
While HMPV may not necessarily ring a bell, it isn’t a new virus. Its typical pattern of seasonal spread was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its resurgence could signal a return to a more typical pre-coronavirus respiratory disease landscape.
Here’s what you need know
What is HMPV? HMPV was first detected in 2001, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s transmitted by close contact with someone who is infected or by touching a contaminated surface, said Dr. Neha Nanda, chief of infectious diseases and hospital epidemiologist for Keck Medicine of USC.
Like other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, HMPV spreads and is more durable in colder temperatures, infectious-disease experts say.
Human metapneumovirus cases commonly start showing up in January before peaking in March or April and then tailing off in June, said Dr. Jessica August, chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa.
However, as was the case with many respiratory viruses, COVID disrupted that seasonal trend.
Why are we talking about HMPV now? Before the pandemic hit in 2020, Americans were regularly exposed to seasonal viruses like HMPV and developed a degree of natural immunity, August said.
That protection waned during the pandemic, as people stayed home or kept their distance from others. So when people resumed normal activities, they were more vulnerable to the virus. Unlike other viruses, there isn’t a vaccine for human metapneumovirus.
“That’s why after the pandemic we saw record-breaking childhood viral illnessesbecause we lacked the usual immunity that we had, just from lack of exposure,” August said. “All of that also led to longer viral seasons, more severe illness. But all of these things have settled down in many respects.”
In 2024, the national test positivity for HMPV peaked at 11.7% at the end of March, according to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System. The following year’s peak was 7.15% in late April.
So far this year, the highest test positivity rate documented was 6.1%, reported on Feb. 21 — the most recent date for which complete data are available.
HMPV cases on the west coast are nearing last spring's peak Percentage of tests administered that came back positive for human metapneumovirus HMPV cases, as represented in a line chart of positive tests, neared 8% last April. This winter they have been steadily increasing, reaching over 6% in the week ending February 21.
While the seasonal spread of viruses like HMPV is nothing new, people became more aware of infectious diseases and how to prevent them during the pandemic, and they’ve remained part of the public consciousness in the years since, August and Nanda said.
What are the symptoms of HMPV? Most people won’t go to the doctor if they have HMPV because it typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms that include cough, fever, nasal congestion and sore throat.
HMPV infection can progress to:
An asthma attack and reactive airway disease (wheezing and difficulty breathing) Middle ear infections behind the ear drum Croup, also known as “barking” cough — an infection of the vocal cords, windpipe and sometimes the larger airways in the lungs Bronchitis Fever Anyone can contract human metapneumovirus, but those who are immunocompromised or have other underlying medical conditions are at particular risk of developing severe disease — including pneumonia. Young children and older adults are also considered higher-risk groups, Nanda said.
What is the treatment for HMPV? There is no specified treatment protocol or antiviral medication for HMPV. However, it’s common for an infection to clear up on its own and treatment is mostly geared toward soothing symptoms, according to the American Lung Assn.
A doctor will likely send you home and tell you to rest and drink plenty of fluids, Nanda said.
If symptoms worsen, experts say you should contact your healthcare provider.
How to avoid contracting HMPV Infectious-disease experts said the best way to avoid contracting HMPV is similar to preventing other respiratory illnesses.
The American Lung Assn.’s recommendations include:
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If that’s not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Clean frequently touched surfaces. Crack open a window to improve air flow in crowded spaces. Avoid being around sick people if you can. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Assistant data and graphics editor Vanessa Martínez contributed to this report.
Arete108 | a day ago
Interesting that they're saying we're getting more infections because of lockdowns 6 years ago. And not, say, because getting Covid dysregulates immune systems and can lead to t cell exhaustion, leaving us all open to more opportunistic infections.
vivmeatball6 | a day ago
Yep this is almost certainly what I recently had and what my mom currently has. We couldn’t figure out what exactly it was but this sounds like this was it. I had all those symptoms; cough, sore throat, felt like something was stuck in my throat that I couldn’t get out know matter how much I coughed or tried to force out, slightly stuffy nose/congestion, having difficulty breathing, getting winded easier than usual, body weakness and fatigue, and it lasted a little over 2 weeks for me. My mom had a way worse cough than me but is also still dealing with these same symptoms almost 2 weeks now after contracting it. She had a few tests done that all came back negative and we didn’t know what this sickness was, but I’m pretty positive now that this was it. Thank you for sharing this information.
paulsteinway | 12 hours ago
No chance of a vaccine being developed in the US this time.
TedMich23 | a day ago
AOL version of article, free https://www.aol.com/articles/virus-without-vaccine-treatment-hitting-192326435.html
More-Dot346 | a day ago
Generally minor. Don’t worry.
[OP] bananaslingrider | a day ago
Definitely not a running circle scream and shout situation, but they kind of shrugged off Valley Fever until it spread to about four other states and it was no longer just affecting farm workers.
VerilyShelly | a day ago
I have a cold right now that doesn't make sense. I don't usually catch colds. I thought maybe it was allergies but the congestion in my lungs didn't match. Well that's just super ☹️
2beatenup | a day ago
Well it could be ovarian cancer if you are a male or testicular cancer if you are a female… just sayin/s
VerilyShelly | a day ago
I wouldn't have commented if it wasn't an unusual set of symptoms, and I live in the area they're talking about and others around me also report having weird cold-like symptoms.
Electrical_Crazy5668 | a day ago
Behind a paywall? Ignorance is bliss, I guess.
[OP] bananaslingrider | a day ago
If there wasn’t a paywall for me, otherwise I would’ve put up an archive link.
Leeloo_82 | a day ago
Just in time for the influx of American tourists to Ireland in March, horray.
Kithslayer | a day ago
Is it just me or is this absolute nothing burger?
There's no vaccine or treatment because symptoms are mild and resolve on their own.
[OP] bananaslingrider | a day ago
The symptoms are mild and resolve their own - unless they don’t. You just didn’t pay attention to that part because it doesn’t affect you.
Kithslayer | a day ago
hMVP has been circulating for over 50 years. No one bothered identifying it until 2001 because it's such a nothing burger.
Of course immunocompromised people are at risk, but they're at dramatically lower risk from it than the flu, even without treatment.
This is a novelty at best.
Kjaeve | a day ago
I wouldn’t say its nothing… I had from Xmas Eve to just about a week or so ago and it was really uncomfortable. My kids have been coughing and uncomfortable for about as long as well. Its a bitch of a virus for sure
tyaak | 20 hours ago
shit I saw this in the ER in Colorado. A pt tested positive for it and I had to look up.
P.S. Not a doctor
glittermcgee | 11 hours ago
How long ago was that? Current? (I’m in CO and it’s relevant to my interests)
tyaak | 10 hours ago
less than a week ago
bluenoser613 | a day ago
Ah yes, pump the fear. It's the American way! What you need to be afraid of next... coming up on the News at 6.
Jazz-Police- | a day ago
Did you read the article?
postconsumerwat | a day ago
Sick people should not spread their mouth