Kansas was among states that temporarily saw increased numbers of cases early last year of the upper and lower respiratory disease human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, said the website of the American Medical Association.
No vaccine to prevent it or specific antiviral therapy to treat it exist for HMPV, which USA Today says has affected states early this year that include New Jersey and California.
HMPV is treated using medical care that is “supportive,” with most people recovering on their own, said the federal Centers for Disease Control.
What’s the latest data show?
The latest data available shows HMPV makes up just over 5% of weekly reported positive tests for respiratory viruses, according to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System, or NREVSS.
That was up from 3.83% previously.
What are the symptoms?
HMPV was discovered in 2001, said the CDC.
HMPV was discovered in 2001, said the CDC.
It “is so common that most people will be infected as children and experience several infections in their lifetimes,” the AMA website said, adding that HMPV is rarely fatal in higher-income countries.
HMPV symptoms are similar to those brought by other viruses that cause upper and lower respiratory infections, the CDC said.
Those symptoms can include fever, cough, nasal congestion and shortness of breath, it said.
In some people, symptoms may progress to include bronchitis, croup, asthma attacks, middle ear infections and pneumonia, the CDC website said.
Here’s how long HMPV usually lasts
Much like the flu, HMPV is seasonal, meaning it generally circulates in the winter and lasts through spring, health professionals say.
HMPV’s incubation period can be three to six days, according to the CDC.
The groups at highest risk include younger children and adults 65 or older, it said.
HMPV can be spread from person to person or through surfaces.
The CDC encourages those who think they have HMPV to stay home, rest and drink plenty of liquids.
For patients having a hard time breathing, treatment can include IV fluids, steroids and oxygen therapy, said the Cleveland Clinic.
State of Kansas doesn’t specifically track HMPV cases
“Since there are no treatments for HMPV, healthcare professionals may not routinely consider or test for HMPV,” said the CDC website. “However, testing can help distinguish HMPV from other infections and guide decisions about isolating, antibiotic use, and need for more testing.”
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment doesn’t track HMPV specifically, said Jill Bronaugh, its communications director.
She said in an email last week that the state was generally seeing a decrease in hospital emergency department visits for acute respiratory illnesses.
As reported in the Topeka Capital Journal
