HUMAN METAPNEUMOVIRUS
Overview
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) can cause upper and lower respiratory disease in people of all ages, especially among young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Discovered in 2001, HMPV is in the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Broader use of molecular diagnostic testing has increased identification and awareness of HMPV as an important cause of upper and lower respiratory infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms commonly associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. Clinical symptoms of HMPV infection may progress to bronchitis or pneumonia and are similar to other viruses that cause upper and lower respiratory infections. The estimated incubation period is 3 to 6 days, and the median duration of illness can vary depending upon severity but is similar to other respiratory infections caused by viruses.
How it spreads
HMPV is most likely spread from an infected person to others through
- secretions from coughing and sneezing
- close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- touching objects or surfaces that have the viruses on them then touching the mouth, nose, or eye
Testing and diagnosis
Since HMPV is a recently recognized respiratory virus, healthcare professionals may not routinely consider or test for HMPV. However, healthcare professionals should consider HMPV testing during winter and spring, especially when HMPV is commonly circulating.
Infection with HMPV can be confirmed usually by
- direct detection of viral genome by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), and
- direct detection of viral antigens in respiratory secretions using immunofluorescence or enzyme immunoassay.