The metapneumovirus is spreading around the world, 13 cases of infection have already been recorded in Ukraine. About this reported the chief infectious disease specialist of the country, Doctor of Medical Sciences Olga Golubovska.
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an infection that affects the upper and lower respiratory tract and is particularly dangerous for young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets, and symptoms may recur throughout life.
According to Olga Golubovska, the disease is manifested by a runny nose and cough, but in severe cases it can cause fulminant respiratory failure, especially in people with immunodeficiency or after lung transplantation. The incubation period is three to six days, and the total duration of illness is approximately 7 to 10 days.
Golubovska notes that IgG class antibodies against HMPV are detected in 100% of persons with repeated infection, and seropositivity among children under 10 years old reaches almost 100%. Currently, 13 cases of infection have been officially confirmed in Ukraine since the beginning of the season.
To protect against the virus, doctors recommend avoiding contact with sick people, following hygiene rules, regularly washing hands, ventilating the premises and avoiding mass events during outbreaks of the virus. These measures help to reduce the risk of infection, since the probability of a severe course of the disease is reduced if the dose of the virus that entered the body is small.
“A request to doctors – do not delay hospitalization if the patient progresses daily. Remember that the severity of the course is assessed not only and not so much by temperature indicators, but by the general condition of the patient, especially in risk groups. It is believed that concomitant infections with other viruses or bacteria can be a trigger for a severe course of the disease, so the use of empiric antiviral therapy with broad-spectrum drugs can be justified.” – urged Golubovska.
