HMPV: 'Every child up to the age of five can be infected', the doctor gave all the information from risks to prevention
After China, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is now spreading to many other countries of the world. The infection that started in China from mid-December has so far been reported in countries like India, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Britain, America, Greece, Singapore. Health experts have alerted about the increasing risks of infection.
Although the reports so far show that HMPV is not very dangerous and the risk of developing serious disease due to it is also seen to be low, however, it is important to stop the spread of infection as it may increase health complications in those people whose immunity is weak.
If we take a look at the situation in the countries where cases of infection have been reported so far, it is known that most of the victims of infection are children below five years of age, elderly people above 65 years of age or those whose immunity is very weak.
Most experts believe that the risk of this infectious disease is higher in children, so all parents need to take special precautions.
'Every child up to five years of age is at risk of infection'
According to information received from China, most of the cases of HMPV there are children. Regarding its danger in children, Medical Professor Dr. Paul Hunter at the University of East Anglia, England says, almost every child will get infected with HMPV at least once before the age of five. Not only this, there can be a risk of this infection many times again in a lifetime. This has been going on for the last several decades, there is nothing new in it.
Dr. Paul says, probably due to mutation in the RNA virus, the cases are in more discussion this time, but I do not think that there is no need to worry much about it at present. Since there is a fear of new mutation this time, parents must take extra precautions.
What do pediatricians say?
Cases of HMPV are increasing in India too. Here, cases have been reported in Karnataka, Mumbai, Bangalore, Nagpur, Tamil Nadu and Ahmedabad, due to which the health department is on alert.
How much is the risk of this in Indian children, what kind of precautions should they take? To know about this, we spoke to Dr Vibhu Kawatra, Pulmonologist (Department of Pediatrics) at a hospital in Delhi.
Dr Vibhu says, children have been infected with this virus earlier also. Many times HMPV comes positive in the Biofire test done to detect viruses and bacteria in children. Respiratory syncytial virus and HMPV are very common in children, both cause inflammation in the airways, both of these often happen to young children.
Some children may have serious problems
Dr Vibhu says, children aged one to five years are affected by it at some time or the other because it is just like a common cough and cold. In some cases, hospitalization or ICU may also be required due to this infection, this usually happens when the viral load in the child is very high. However, it is not necessary that all children are at risk of serious disease. In most children, this infection is cured and it is not even detected.
How to protect children from infection?
On how children can be protected from this infection, Dr. Vibhu says, behind the rapid growth of HMPV, there is a possibility of new mutations in it. If this is so, then it is possible that the infection may also take a dangerous form, although the report of studies is awaited to confirm this.
At present, since the fear of infection is increasing, in such a situation, common measures like hand hygiene, protection from crowds and cold are enough to keep children safe. If there are cases of HMPV in your area and your child is infected, then take care of your child.