Britt Jones
A doctor has come out to share a sign of the HMPV virus that you can spot on your skin.
Experts recently warned that people need to be aware of the illness that can be a 'severe disease' for people who are most at risk after growing cases of HMPV were confirmed in China India, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia.
Half a decade since the worldwide outbreak of Covid-19 has passed, and it’s only normal that people would be wary of another pandemic after hearing out this little known illness.
However, the human metapneumovirus, aka HMPV, first surfaced 24 years ago in 2001, and comes and goes throughout the year.
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While there’s no need to panic, it can be severe for people who have lung conditions, immune compromised, are elderly or are children.
It can develop into pneumonia and even exacerbate asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as per The Telegraph.
Professor Paul Griffin, director of infectious diseases at Mater Health Services in Brisbane, told the Guardian: "It certainly can and does cause severe disease, that’s why I think it’s important that people know it’s out there."
He said: "The challenge is at the moment there’s not much we can do except educate people [that] it’s around to reduce transmission. There’s no vaccine or antivirals, although there are some vaccines in development."
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This is why if you notice the signs and you fall under the above categories, taking precautions and taking care of yourself is key.
But apart from the usual sneezing, coughing, and wheezing, there’s something else you could be missing that signifies that you are ill before the overt signs.
It could begin as a rash.
Paul Hunter, who is a professor at the University of East Anglia, told The Telegraph: "It's a totally different virus from flu, which mutates faster. All viruses mutate and evolve, but flu is the quickest to do so and the symptoms of flu are far more severe."
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In 2013, a study found that around five to ten percent of kids with HMPV presented with a rash, which could be a separate issue, but if you are tested, you could know for sure whether it’s HMPV.
According to Hunter, if you think you have HMPV, you should get medical help immediately, particularly if you experience a high fever a blue hue on your skin, nails or lips or breathing difficulties.
It’s important to note that’s there’s no cure per se, but you can be treated in hospital if your symptoms become severe.
The good news? There are so many children that get HMPV before they turn five and onwards.
Hunter told the BBC: "Almost every child will have at least one infection with HMPV by their fifth birthday and we can expect to go onto to have multiple reinfections throughout life.
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"So overall, I don't think there is currently any signs of a more serious global issue."
If you notice any strange rash and feel under the weather, it’s best to speak to your GP about possible causes, even if it isn’t HMPV.