Do you have HMPV? With the spread of Chinese viruses, the symptoms that need to be checked

The typical little-known virus hopes to create it in this winter-human elemental virus (HMPV).

The latest data from the British Health and Safety Administration (UKHSA) show that as of January 19th, 5 % of England’s tests on HMPV are positive, of which 80 and over people account for the highest proportion of cases. It marks the highest HMPV rate that has so far this winter.

However, British experts such as Andrew Pollard, director of Oxford Vaccine Group, Oxford University of Oxford, eager to assure us that “this is one of many viruses circulating in winter.”

The virus is not new, because it was first discovered in 2001 and it was not possible to leak from the laboratory. In fact, most of us will already have it, and we don’t even realize that it is different from ordinary colds.

Learn more information about HMPV here:

What is HMPV?

HMPV is a respiratory virus, “cocktail of winter virus, which is a very common respiratory infection that reached its peak in winter”, said Professor Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at Dongying Geely University. “Almost every child will be infected with HMPV before the five -year -old birthday. We can hope to continue to recover multiple times in our lives. Usually they are not noticed.”

It is part of the same group of viruses that cause respiratory composite viruses (RSV), which is a common cause of cough and cold.

Why does it pose a threat to our health and who is threatened?

Anyone has the risk of catching HMPV, and most people recover at the same speed as ordinary colds. However, if your symptoms (or your child’s symptoms) have not begun to improve within a few days, or the duration of the fever exceeds three days, you should see a general doctor.

If you or your child suffers from the symptoms of respiratory tract infections and potential diseases that make you or their serious disease risk, please seek advice from a doctor. Like all respiratory viruses, there will be a series of symptoms and severity. The higher risk category includes:

• Over five years old (especially premature babies); the peak age of severe disease is the peak of six to 12 months, or more than 65 years old

• The immune system is weak (from HIV, cancer or autoimmune disease or drugs in which the immune system inhibits the immune system)

• Adults over 65 years old, people with weak respiratory problems or weak immune systems may also have severe symptoms

What are the main symptoms of this virus?

The virus usually causes symptoms similar to ordinary colds. It usually causes upper respiratory tract infections, but sometimes causes lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia, asthma attacks may worsen chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The main symptoms include:

• Nose blocking (or runny nose)

• Specific breathing (difficulty in breathing)

How is it different from flu?

Professor Hunter said: “This is completely different from the flu, it can change faster.” “All viruses have mutated and evolved, but the flu is the fastest, and the symptoms of influenza are much more serious.”

Unlike flu, there are usually few pains or pain, nausea or loss of appetite. Unlike 19 years old, there is no taste or loss of taste. Symptoms are compared with ordinary colds, runny nose or nose blocking, cough or fever.

Why is covid-19 and influenza vaccine not suitable for it

COVID-19 JAB will not have effect on HMPV, because “this is completely different from Covid, so JAB has no effect at all,” Professor Hunter explained. The same is true of influenza tingling. He added that this is “reasonable”, and the RSV piercing may provide more protection.

Professor Hunter pointed out that no vaccine can provide protection for HMPV, although people are working hard. “I think we will not have a vaccine in two years, but about ten years.”

How to spread HMPV?

When the infected person coughs, sneezes, kissing or even holding hands, HMPV is mainly spread in the air. Sometimes, people are infected after the contact surface (such as desktop or door handle), and pollute the desktop or door handle because people cough or sneeze or handle paper towels used.

Other methods to capture it are to contact the surface or objects of pollution, such as telephone, door handles, keyboards or toys. Therefore, it is wise to use antibacterial sprays to keep the surface clean carefully.

Professor John Tregoning, an vaccine immunology expert at the Empires of London, said that, like many other viruses, it will spread in cough, sneezing and Didi. He suggested to protect yourself by ensuring that your environment (whether at home, office or at school) is a good ventilation.

He said: “Crying and shaving your mouth will help.”

How to reduce the risk of capturing HMPV

You can reduce the risk of HMPV and other infectious diseases by taking simple measures:

• Frequently wash your hands (if there is no soap and water, please use alcoholic therapy)

• Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or cough (if there is no tissue available, your elbow is better than naked hands)

• When you (or they) have a cold or other infectious diseases, avoid

• Consider wearing a mask (if you are sick and cannot be avoided by others) or public transport or local

• Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth

• Do not share food or drinks with others (or cups and forks, etc.)

When should you go to emergency medical care?

People who belong to these categories should be particularly vigilant, because in some cases, HMPV may cause serious complications to be hospitalized. They include:

If you or your child suffer from severe diseases, including:

• High fever (more than 103F/40C)

• Blue skin, lips or nails (cyanide)

• Other health conditions deteriorate

How do you know if you have

You will only determine whether it has been tested. Most people are unlikely to receive HMPV tests, unless they have severe symptoms and go to a doctor, and then test them. Professor Hunter said: “At present, about 4 % of people are being tested.” But they still have other infections, so they do not always know what causes more severe symptoms.

Generally, healthcare providers will consider your medical history and diagnose HMPV according to your symptoms. You can use a shit to get a sample from your nose or throat, and then test the virus and other infections in the laboratory.

In some cases, such as a special impact of breathing, doctors can also perform bronchial mirror inspection or chest X -ray examination to find changes in pulmonary tract.

What is the best treatment?

Professor Hunt said: “No ‘treatment’, this is mainly sitting outside like a cold.”

Because the virus presented itself in the same way as FLU, COVID-19 and RSV, it is suitable for the affected patient-to rest as much as possible, please make sure you drink enough liquid and try not to spread it to others.

Mild HMPV cases usually last for several days to a week. If you get sick, it will feel longer. The lingering symptoms (such as cough) may take longer to solve.

Should you take antibiotics for HMPV?

Because HMPV is a virus, antibiotics (only processed bacteria) do not eliminate the virus. However, sometimes people who obtain pneumonia from HMPV also infect bacterial infections (referred to as secondary infections). In this case, antibiotics can be used to treat any secondary infection.

Although most of them can cause symptoms similar to colds, some people can get sick. You are more likely to get sick when you get HMPV for the first time, which is why young children suffer from severe diseases.

You get some protection (immunity) from the first infection, and then if you are infected with HMPV infection at a certain stage in the future, it is more likely to have mild and cold symptoms.

What other drugs should you take to relieve symptoms?

Take over -the -counter drug (OTC) drugs, such as painkillers, congestion and cough drugs can help your symptoms. However, don’t check it with the pharmacist or your general doctor first, because some drugs are unsafe for them, so please do not provide medicine for children.

If you or your child is seriously ill, you may need to be taken to the hospital, where you can monitor your condition more strictly to prevent your illness. Treatment may include

• Oxygen therapy (if breathing is a problem, you can provide additional oxygen of the tube or face on the nose)

• Intravenous infusion (directly delivered to your vein can keep you moisture)

This article was originally published on January 7, and it has been updated

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