If you have a cough, runny nose, and sore throat, you may have human metapneumovirus, or HMPV.
HMPV is a seasonal respiratory virus, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or the flu. It most often affects children and older people, but anyone can get it.
You can usually recover from HMPV with home care. At UPMC, we provide expert treatment for severe HMPV symptoms, as well as complications like pneumonia and asthma flare-ups.
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What Is Human Metapneumovirus?
HMPV is a common respiratory virus. It causes cold-like symptoms, including a runny nose, cough, and/or sore throat.
HMPV is in the pneumoviridae family, along with RSV. Though HMPV is similar to RSV, the flu, and the common cold, it is a separate virus.
HMPV symptoms are generally mild and you can treat them at home. But children, people with weakened immune systems, and adults over age 65 are at risk for more serious illness. HMPV complications include pneumonia, asthma, and ear infections.
You may not have heard about it, but HMPV is not a new virus. Scientists in the Netherlands first identified it in 2001, but it had been circulating for decades.
Using molecular diagnostic testing, providers can diagnose HMPV in its early stages. That helps them manage symptoms before they become more serious respiratory illnesses.
How common is human metapneumovirus?
HMPV is very common, and most cases likely go unreported. Most children get it at least once before age 5. Like the common cold, you can get HMPV multiple times.
The virus spreads in a predictable pattern ever year. It usually begins in later winter and lasts into spring. RSV and flu circulate during the same time.
What causes human metapneumovirus?
Just like other respiratory viruses, HMPV is contagious and spreads from an infected person to others through:
- Close personal contact, such as shaking hands with or touching infected people.
- Inhaling droplets of airborne secretions from an infected person's sneeze or cough.
- Touching infected surfaces or objects and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Human metapneumovirus risk factors
While HMPV can cause respiratory disease in people of all ages, certain groups are more at risk for severe infections.
These groups include:
- Adults over age 65.
- Children under age 5.
- People undergoing chemotherapy.
- People who have recently undergone organ transplant surgery.
- People with a history of lung diseases, such as asthma, COPD, or emphysema.
- People with weakened immune systems, such as from HIV, cancer, autoimmune disorders, or taking immunity-suppression medications.
Complications of human metapneumovirus
Some cases of HMPV can progress to more serious health issues, including:
- Asthma flare-ups.
- Bronchiolitis.
- Bronchitis.
- COPD flare-ups.
- Croup (“barking” cough).
- Middle ear infections (infections behind the ear drum).
- Pneumonia.
These more serious illnesses can require hospitalization. Your recovery may take weeks or months.
How can I reduce my risks of human metapneumovirus?
You can reduce the risk of developing HMPV if you:
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean surfaces that are frequently touched, such as doorknobs, handrails, countertops, and cabinet handles.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. If you don’t have a tissue handy, cough or sneeze into your elbow instead of your hand.
- Stay away from people who are sick.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. It’s especially important to follow good handwashing practice if you’re working around children, such as in a daycare or school.
If you think you are becoming sick, it’s important to take safety measures to keep others around you safe.
You should:
- Avoid sharing cups or utensils with others.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when coughing and sneezing.
- Refrain from touching and kissing others.
- Stay home when you feel sick.
- Wear a mask if you need to go out in public.
It’s important to be aware of common viruses around the winter and spring, especially because they have similar symptoms. Taking care to prevent the spread of infections can help keep you and others around you safe.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Human Metapneumovirus?
HMPV symptoms are similar to other respiratory infections common in the winter and spring.
These symptoms include:
- Asthma flare-ups.
- Cough.
- Fever.
- Nasal congestion.
- Shortness of breath.
- Sore throat.
- Wheezing.
Mild symptoms of HMPV tend to last two to five days and don’t pose any serious threat to your health.
When should I see a doctor about my human metapneumovirus symptoms?
Most people with HMPV symptoms don’t need to see a health care provider. The illness usually goes away on its own and home care is enough.
But you should see your provider if you or your child experience:
- High fever.
- Persistent shortness of breath, wheezing, or severe cough.
- Symptoms that last more than 14 days.
How Do You Diagnose Human Metapneumovirus?
To diagnose a respiratory infection, your doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam. In most cases, that’s enough to make a diagnosis of HMPV.
Testing can confirm the diagnosis if need be.
Tests to diagnose human metapneumovirus
If they suspect severe HMPV, your provider may order:
- Bronchoscopy — Doctors insert a small, flexible camera into the lung. Through it, they can examine your airways, look for other problems, and capture a sample of fluid for testing.
- Chest x-rays — To look for signs of pneumonia.
- Lab tests — Your provider will swab your nose or throat to get a sample. These tests include:
- Antigen tests — A rapid medical test that looks for virus proteins. A nurse will take a sample of mucus from your nose or throat with a soft swab. You have the results in 10 or 15 minutes.
- RT-PCR tests — A highly sensitive molecular test that differentiates HMPV from other respiratory illnesses. A lab tests this sample to confirm the type of virus causing your illness. Results are very accurate but take longer than the antigen test — usually between 24 and 48 hours.
Human metapneumovirus outlook
In general, HMPV is not a serious disease. Most cases of HMPV get better on their own in a few days. If you have risk factors, however, you may need treatment from your health care provider.
How Do You Treat Human Metapneumovirus?
The goal of HMPV treatment is to ease symptoms and prevent getting the virus again in the future.
Home care for human metapneumovirus
Most people can manage their HMPV symptoms at home.
You should:
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Prioritize rest so your body can recover faster.
- Try a temporary inhaler if you're having breathing issues.
Medicine to treat human metapneumovirus
There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral therapy to treat HMPV. Antibiotics don't work on viruses, so your doctor won't prescribe them for HMPV.
Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medicines to help ease your HMPV symptoms.
- Decongestants to reduce sinus pressure.
- Pain and fever medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
Seeing a provider for human metapneumovirus
In most cases, you don’t need to see your doctor for HMPV. Symptoms will usually go away on their own with home care.
If you have trouble breathing or your symptoms progress over several days, you may have a more serious infection. In this case, you should contact your health care provider.
Additional Common Questions About Metapneumovirus
How serious is HMPV?
In most cases HMPV is not a serious disease. However, it can lead to complications in children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
How long is HMPV contagious?
You are most infectious during the first few days of the illness. However, you may still be able to spread the virus for another week to two weeks after symptoms first appear.
Is HMPV worse than RSV?
HMPV and RSV produce very similar symptoms. Both pose risks to children, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems. In general, doctors consider RSV a more serious problem, especially for babies under 6 months of age.
What questions should I ask my provider about human metapneumovirus?
- Do I need a test to see if I have HMPV?
- Should I bring my child in for an appointment if they have HMPV symptoms?
- Should I wear a mask if I go out in public — and for how long?
- What can I do to feel better?
- What over-the-counter medicines do you recommend for me or my child?
- When is it ok to go back to work?
- Will a humidifier or other home care remedies help ease symptoms?
Why Choose UPMC for Human Metapneumovirus Care?
Most people can recover from norovirus at home. But if you have severe respiratory symptoms, UPMC can help you get back to normal.
- We're close to home — If you or your child need emergency breathing treatments, there’s a UPMC emergency department or urgent care center near you to help. You won’t have to travel far when you’re feeling sick.
- We have infectious disease expertise — Our experts can rule out other, more serious respiratory problems.
- We know how to manage respiratory illness in children and older adults — We can help manage serious illness in those most at risk.
