HMPV virus in US: No vaccines or Anti-Viral drugs available for treatment

The USA is suddenly witnessing an uptick in cases of a viral respiratory disease called human metapneumovirus, or HMPV for which no vaccines or Anti-Viral drugs are currently available for treatment, foreign media reported.

According to the reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults, young children and people with poor immunity are at high risk due to the virus. The organization said that at its peak in mid-March, nearly 11 per cent of tested specimens were positive for HMPV, a number that's about 36 per cent higher than the average pre-pandemic levels.

According to reports, patients who were diagnosed with it were not aware that they had the virus. There is only one step that the doctors can take which is to tend to the symptoms faced by the patients.

The Human metapneumovirus or HMPV is a viral infection, primarily affects the upper respiratory tract, says CDC. It can infect people of all ages. But, a few categories of people are at much higher risk and they are: Older adults, Young children and People who have weak immunity power.

Typically, people suffering from HMPV experience symptoms that are similar to a cold. These symptoms may be mild and may last up to five days. They also tend to heal on their own after running its course. But, this is only for individuals who are healthy. According to CDC, The symptoms are cough, nasal congestion, fever and shortness of breath.

According to the report issued by the CDC, it is more likely that the virus will spread during the winter months and the spring months. Other diseases like flu or RSV also spread in the similar way. This disease is a lot similar to the rest of the viral infections that already exists. But, this disease also is the only one without a cure. CDC also added that currently, there is no specific treatment available for human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Therefore, the primary approach to prevention involves good hygiene, such as covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and frequent handwashing.