How to Protect You and Your Family from the HMPV Virus

The Human Metapneumovirus is a respiratory virus that is especially dangerous to a person’s health and fitness of all ages. It severely affects children, the elderly and persons with a lowered immunity. Since there is no specific vaccine or treatment for chikungunya available, knowing about prevention and management measures is important to protect your family from this disease.

In this blog, we’ll be covering what HMPV is, how it is transmitted, HMPV virus symptoms, and preventive measures that can be taken to avoid the disease.

What is HMPV?

Human Metapneumovirus now known as HMPV is a respiratory virus that was discovered in the year 2001. Similar to RSV, it falls in the same viral family and can lead to mild to severe respiratory diseases. Most infections are associated with influenza-like illness while HMPV can cause severe diseases such as bronchitis or pneumonia in some of the population groups.

How Does HMPV Spread?

HMPV spreads through:

• Respiratory Droplets: Covid-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets, meaning when an infected person coughs or sneezes the droplets spread and/or land on others or objects.
• Close Contact: This is passed from one individual to the other through touching such as hugging or even shaking of the affected person’s hand.
• Contaminated Surfaces: Making contact with an object or a surface with the virus and then having contact with any part of the face, especially the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Symptoms of HMPV

Like any other virus, the symptoms of HMPV differ depending on the age, immune-compromised status as well as general health of the infected person. Common symptoms of the best health information include:

• Cough
• Fever
• Sore throat or sniffle
• Sore throat
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath

At its worst, it can result in bronchitis, pneumonia or any other related illness that may be associated with the flu.

Who is at Risk?

While anyone can get infected with HMPV, the following groups are at higher risk:

• Infants and young children
• Elderly individuals
• Patients with compromised immunity or chronic lung disorders such as asthma or COPD
• Name referents include people who use public places such as schools and nursing homes.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Family with the Best Health Tips

1. Practice Good Hygiene

Personal hygiene is the key prevention technique to avoid the HMPV. Teach your family these essential practices:

• Handwashing: Use soap and water to wash hands often, especially after reaching out for any public surface or object.
• Sanitizing: Offer hand sanitisers in alcohol as an alternative to hand washing with water and soap.

2. Do not mix with people with flu-like symptoms or with any signs of the flu

Avoid contact with persons exhibiting symptoms of respiratory diseases such as the flu. If a family member is unwell:

• If possible, lock them in a separate room and let them stay there until they get bored.
• Find them disposable tissues and remind them to wash their hands as often as they can.
• Masks can help to minimise droplet transmission.

3. Clean Often Handled Objects

It also revealed that HMPV can be stable on fomites for many hours. Clean and disinfect frequently touched items like:

• Doorknobs
• Remote controls
• Phones and tablets
• Kitchen counters

4. Maintain a Healthy Diet

It is important to have a strong immune system because this helps us fight off infections. Include the following in your family’s diet:

• Vitamin C-rich foods: The fruits include oranges, lemons, guava, and strawberries.
• Immune-boosting herbs and spices: Ginger, garlic, and turmeric
• Protein sources and vitamin-rich vegetables for a well-balanced diet

5. Stay Hydrated and Rested

Taking adequate fluids and having enough rest are some other requirements to improve the immune system. Make sure you and other family members are taking enough water daily and everybody is heeling for 7-9 hours at night.

6. Herbal Remedies for Children and Adults in Dealing with HMVP:

• Drink hot water with steam mixed with mint leaves.
• Swash 2-3 times a day; you may also add neem leaves to this water.
• Take green tea, and let the steam stay in the mouth for some time before drinking the concoction.
• If fever is observed, the night jasmine leaf juice, 5-10 ml with 1 teaspoon of honey should be taken 2-3 times a day.
• Kwath made from AYUSH using tulsi (holy basil), cinnamon, dry ginger and black pepper are useful.
• Try to take fresh sour fruits like Indian gooseberry (amla), lemon, drumstick pod and flower.
• For cough; put a piece of clove or licorice in the mouth.
• Administer children with 1-5 millilitres of tulsi leaf juice together with honey.
• Chyawanprash should be taken by elderly people daily and should be followed by tea taken with heat.

7. Stay Hydrated and Rested

Encourage everyone to use a tissue or upper limb particularly the elbow to cover the mouth and nose during times of coughing or sneezing. Throw used tissues away properly.

8. Avoid Locations Crowded by People

Do not go to areas where people congregate during flu season or any other flu season. When going out is inevitable, wear a mask, and avoid getting too close to people.

What to Do if Symptoms Appear

If a family member shows symptoms of HMPV:

• Quarantine them to ensure they do not spread the virus to other people.
• Provide symptomatic care, such as:
  • Self-medications such as analgesics or antipyretics
  • Adequate hydration and rest
  • Steam is received from warm water together with honey to treat the throat and remove phlegm.
• Monitor Symptoms: Some of the symptoms that may require medical attention include, worsening of the symptoms, especially shortness of breath and constant fever.

Is HMPV Preventable with Vaccines or Cured with Medical Treatment?

At present, there is no distinct vaccine and antiviral medicine available for the HMPV treatment. The approach used in treating cancer frequently involves the control of the symptoms experienced as well as the prevention of adverse effects. Doctors are working to find a cure in the form of vaccines but none of such vaccines are obtainable from the market.

Conclusion

To prevent a member of your family from catching HMPV, you need to ensure that they practice good hygiene and exercise, and take proper care of themselves while at the hospital or any place that has cases of the virus. The health tips provided herein will ensure that you are informed enough to avert the infection and protect your loved ones.

Currently, there is no direct cure for HMPV but the best thing you can do is to prevent it. Ensure your family follows those habits and gets sensitive during the flu season. Only together can we prevent HMPV.