Concerns about world health have been raised by the Human Metapneumovirus outbreak in China. In India, three instances were reported today: two in Bengaluru and one in Ahmedabad. However, there is no recent travel history of the afflicted newborns and families, excluding exposure from China or other nations.
Chinese social media images depict hospitals that are overcrowded. Serious worries of a second health crisis following COVID-19 have been raised by this. Covid-19 first appeared in China in 2019 and had flu-like symptoms. For this reason, the Covid-19 pandemic and the HMPV outbreak in China are being compared. Nonetheless, there are a number of differences between HMPV and COVID-19.
Covid-19 and HMPV are members of distinct viral families. While certain strains of Covid-19 can produce serious consequences that necessitate hospitalization, HMPV causes mild to moderate symptoms. Depending on the variation, the incubation period for Covid-19 ranges from 2 to 14 days, whereas that for HMPV is 3 to 6 days.
Other symptoms that people with COVID-19 may have include loss of taste and smell. Another typical symptom of some strains is diarrhea.
The HMPV virus is not new. Because of the recent outbreak in China, it has recently garnered attention.
However, HMPV and COVID-19 have a lot in common:
Target the respiratory system: Both result in respiratory illness.
Similar transmission: HMPV and Covid-19 spread through infected droplets, direct contact or contaminated surfaces.
Overlapping symptoms: Cough, sore throat, fever and shortness of breath are a few common symptoms of HMPV and Covid-19.
Vulnerable groups: Serious problems are more likely to occur in children, the elderly, and people with underlying medical disorders.
HMPV and COVID-19 can be avoided by wearing masks, avoiding social situations, and practicing good hand hygiene.
-NSH Digidesk
