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DRYou may be hearing more about human metapneumovirus (HMPV) right now so here’s what parents should know.
HMPV is a common respiratory virus that spreads through coughs, sneezes, and close contact, just like many other cold and flu viruses. Symptoms can look very similar to COVID, flu, RSV, or a typical cold.
For many older kids and adults, it often feels like a regular cold. But it can be more serious in babies, older adults, and people with asthma or underlying conditions, sometimes causing wheezing, bronchiolitis, or even pneumonia.
One tricky part: you can’t tell which virus it is just by symptoms, which is why doctors sometimes use a full respiratory panel to identify it.
Call your doctor if you notice:
👉Fast or difficult breathing
👉Wheezing
👉Fever lasting more than 3–4 days
👉Dehydration or unusual lethargy
👉A cough that’s getting worse after a week
And as always, prevention matters: wash hands, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when sick to help protect your community. 🫶
#hmpv
@drtanyaaltmann
