Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that usually causes symptoms similar to the common cold. It often causes upper respiratory infections, but it can sometimes cause lower respiratory infections like pneumonia, asthma flare-ups or make chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worse. HMPV infections are more common in the winter and early spring.
Most people get HMPV before they turn 5. You can get HMPV again, but symptoms are usually mild after your first infection.
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that usually causes symptoms similar to the common cold. It often causes upper respiratory infections, but it can sometimes cause lower respiratory infections like pneumonia, asthma flare-ups or make chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worse. HMPV infections are more common in the winter and early spring.
Most people get HMPV before they turn 5. You can get HMPV again, but symptoms are usually mild after your first infection.
Is human metapneumovirus just a cold?
Human metapneumovirus most often causes symptoms similar to a cold, but some people can get very sick. You are more likely to get severely sick the first time you get HMPV, which is why young kids have a greater risk for serious illness. You get some protection (immunity) from your first infection and then are more likely to have mild, cold-like symptoms if you get another HMPV infection. Adults over 65 and people with breathing problems or a weakened immune system may also get severe symptoms.
How common is human metapneumovirus?
Researchers estimate that about 10% to 12% of respiratory illnesses in children are caused by HMPV. Most cases are mild, but about 5% to 16% of children will develop a lower respiratory tract infection like pneumonia.
Is human metapneumovirus the same as RSV?
It is not the same, but human metapneumovirus is similar to RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). It is part of the same genus — or scientific grouping — as RSV (Pneumovirus), and can cause similar symptoms. The peak age for severe illness from HMPV is between 6 and 12 months, but RSV is more likely to cause severe illness in infants younger than 6 months.
Symptoms and Causes
Symptoms of HMPV include fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, wheezing, shortness of breath, sore throat and rash.
The symptoms of human metapneumovirus are often similar to the common cold.
What are the symptoms of human metapneumovirus?
Symptoms of human metapneumovirus include:
Cough.
Fever.
Runny or stuffy nose.
Sore throat.
Wheezing.
Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
Rash.
What causes a human metapneumovirus infection?
A virus — a small germ that uses your cells to make more copies of itself — causes HMPV. It is part of the same group of viruses that cause RSV, measles and mumps.
How is human metapneumovirus transmitted?
HMPV spreads through direct contact with someone who has it or from touching things contaminated with the virus. For instance:
Coughing and sneezing.
Shaking hands, hugging or kissing.
Touching surfaces or objects like phones, door handles, keyboards or toys.
What are the risk factors for human metapneumovirus?
Anyone can get HMPV, but you are at a higher risk for severe illness if you:
Are younger than 5 (especially premature infants) or older than 65.
Have a weakened immune system (from conditions like HIV, cancer or autoimmune disorders, or from medications that suppress your immune system).
Have asthma or COPD.
What are the complications of human metapneumovirus?
Sometimes HMPV causes complications. These might be serious and require you to be hospitalized. They include:
Bronchiolitis.
Bronchitis.
Pneumonia.
Asthma or COPD flare-ups.
Ear infection (otitis media).
