HMPV Treatment: Symptoms and Effective Care Tips

Posted on: Jan 13, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

HMPV Treatment: Symptoms and Effective Care Tips

HMPV Virus

HMPV is a respiratory virus that has become a hot topic recently. Though the virus has existed for over 50 years, the recent outbreak in China has created an uproar. Officially identified in 2001, HMPV causes flu-like symptoms and respiratory ailments, especially during the fall and winter seasons.

People who are at a high risk of an HMPV infection are children with a weak immunity system, senior citizens with underlying health issues and those diagnosed with chronic illnesses.

HMPV Symptoms

HMPV infection symptoms are similar to flu and the common cold. These include:

• Congestion in the nose

• Sore throat

• Runny nose

• Fever

• Coughing, sneezing and wheezing

• Breathlessness

• Symptoms of pneumonia and bronchiolitis

These symptoms can be treated and managed effectively by practising proper hand-cleaning hygiene, social distancing, avoiding contact with infected people, and staying indoors if unwell.

Treatment of HMPV

There is no specific cure for an HMPV infection and no vaccine has been discovered yet. Still, you can adhere to the following HMPV treatment methods to alleviate the symptoms:

• Over-the-counter medications to treat fever and flu-like symptoms

• Consuming fluids

• Rest

• Eating healthy foods to improve immunity

• IV fluids for severely dehydrated patients

• Corticosteroids to control the inflammation-related symptoms of HMPV infections

• Oxygen therapies and hospitalisation in cases of severe symptoms like pneumonia, asthma, etc.

• Mechanical ventilation for patients experiencing severe respiratory distress

An HMPV falls under the category of “viral infection”. Hence, you should not take any antibiotics to treat this as it will not yield any results. Sometimes, people with an HMPV infection may also be diagnosed with a secondary infection like pneumonia or bronchiolitis. If this is due to a bacterial infection, then antibiotics may help to get rid of the secondary infection only. Always check with your doctor before taking any medicine for the HMPV infection.

Conclusion

HMPV virus treatment is possible only by managing the symptoms and taking precautions to prevent the spread of the infection. There is no vaccine to cure HMPV, but medicines to treat fever and the common cold can easily manage the symptoms. For serious symptoms, the treatment methodologies may include oxygen therapies and mechanical ventilation. Ensure that you have a health insurance policy to cover medical costs.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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