A doctor has revealed a lesser-known warning sign of HMPV that could appear on your skin. The virus has been on the rise across the UK in recent weeks, with cases up by 4.5 percent.
A health professional has raised the alarm about an easy-to-miss symptom of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) that could appear on your skin, as England grapples with cases that present similar to common cold symptoms. HMPV is a respiratory infection that can cause conditions like asthma to flare up or exacerbate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Key indicators include coughing, fever, and a sore throat, but one lesser-known sign – a rash – should not be overlooked. University of East Anglia medical expert Professor Paul Hunter 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.”
Research from 2013 highlights that rashes occurred in between five and 10 percent of children with HMPV. Unlike flu, patients with HMPV may not suffer from muscle pains or nausea, and it also does not affect taste and smell senses as Covid does.
The only way to detect viruses like HMPV is through testing, says Hunter, but many with mild symptoms might not seek testing. Swab samples from the nose and throat can be tested, similar to other viruses; more invasive procedures like bronchoscopies or chest X-rays may inspect airways further.
Hunter advises seeking medical attention for HMPV suspicions if experiencing a high fever (over 103F/40C), difficulty breathing, or cyanosis. While there’s no actual “cure” for HMPV, the approach is to “sit it out” – resting, staying hydrated, and avoiding spreading the virus is key, just like with flu or Covid. .
HMPV usually resolves within a week, although some symptoms like coughs may linger. Despite a global uptick in HMPV cases, and images of mask-wearing crowds in China due to a seasonal surge, experts downplay fears of a Covid-like pandemic. .
“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,” Prof Hunter told the BBC. “So overall, I don’t think there is currently any signs of a more serious global issue.”
The UK Health Security Agency has reassured the public that the rise in human metapneumovirus (hMPV) cases is sticking to its expected seasonal trend, with a 4.5 percent increase in incidents. In a recent social media update, they clarified: “You may have seen news stories about human metapneumovirus virus (hMPV) cases in China. We routinely monitor this virus and our data shows that it is currently following its usual seasonal pattern in the UK.”
They added, “hMPV is a respiratory pathogen closely related to RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus). It is associated with a range of illnesses from mild infection to severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Most people recover within a couple of weeks.”
How to treat HMPV
When it comes to tackling hMPV, antibiotics won’t do the trick as they’re ineffective against viruses. However, if hMPV leads to pneumonia, then it becomes a bacterial issue which can be treated with antibiotics.
For those suffering from cold-like symptoms due to hMPV, over-the-counter remedies including painkillers, decongestants, and cough suppressants might offer some relief. First-timers with the virus, though, could experience harsher symptoms.
Hsu Li Yang, an infectious diseases expert, spoke to the BBC, highlighting that young kids, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients, are at greater risk of severe symptoms. He pointed out that those critically ill with hMPV might require hospitalisation.
