HMPV virus is causing infectious respiratory illness in China. The reports from China have kickstarted discussions in other countries about the infection. Both HMPV and COVID-19 are viruses that cause respiratory illness. Knowing the similarities and differences between the HMPV vs COVID-19 viruses is important. In this article, we will look into the details of the similarities and differences between the HMPV vs COVID-19 viruses.
What is HMPV and COVID-19 Virus
The human metapneumovirus or HMPV virus is a common virus that can cause mild cold-like symptoms. Human metapneumovirus has been found in human beings since the 1970s as per the studies. However, the HMPV virus was first identified in the year 2001. This virus can cause 4 to 16 per cent of respiratory infections worldwide. HMPV virus causes respiratory illness in people in high-risk groups such as children, elder people, pregnant women etc.
Covid-19 is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2 that causes infectious diseases. However, HMPV does not have widespread recognition like COVID-19.
Also read : Human Metapneumovirus HMPV Outbreak: Is It As Concerning As COVID-19?
Similarities between HMPV and COVID-19
Let us look into some of the similarities between HMPV vs COVID-19 infection.n
- The HMPV and SARS-Cov-2 can cause infectious diseases in humans. Both viruses have the potential to cause respiratory illness in humans.
- People with weak immune systems such as elder people and children are mostly affected by the COVID-19 and HMPV virus. China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention has said that in suspectable individuals with underlying medical conditions, HMPV infection can lead to death. Millions of people died during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Both COVID-19 and the HMPV virus are communicable diseases. Both diseases can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing and close contact with an infected person. Touching the surface of contaminated surfaces and objects can also lead to the spread of the disease.
- COVID-19 and HMPV are seasonal infections. The infection with covid 19 is temperature-sensitive and seasonal. Similar to Covid 19 HMPV virus also spreads seasonally.
- Methods of prevention of both COVID-19 and HMPV virus are the same. People can wear masks to reduce the spread of the disease in case of both viruses, Washing hands frequently, disinfecting surfaces and staying in ventilation are some of the methods that can be effective in both situations.
- Both the COVID-19 and HMPV infections can be without any symptoms. In the group people from 16 to 36 in the healthy elderly group, 44 per cent of HMPV virus infections can be asymptomatic. Among the high-risk group such as children and the elderly 39 per cent of the covid infection can be asymptomatic. In the younger group, the percentage of asymptomatic infection is seventy-one.
Differences between HMPV and COVID-19 infection
The symptoms caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus and HMPV virus can be very similar. Some of the common symptoms of the COVID-19 and HMPV Virus are cough, fever, body aches, shortness of breath, congestion in the throat and sore throat. Some people will have serious symptoms may suffer from pneumonia.
But people infected with COVID-19 will show some more symptoms than the people who got affected from HMPV virus infection. Major differences can be seen in the severe cases. People who are infected with HMPV virus may lead to serious conditions like bronchitis and pneumonia. Ear infections can also occur in children if they get affected by HMPV virtual infection.
Some of the symptoms that are not so common in the case of covid 19 include loss of taste and smell, muscle fatigue or heavy arms and legs. Some other symptoms that are uncommon in COVID-19 are tiredness or severe fatigue, blocked or runny nose, sore eyes, and headache. Other symptoms of the people affected by COVID-19 include tight chest, chest pain, numbness and sleeping difficulty. People with symptoms like confusion, breathing difficulty and drowsiness should seek medical attention immediately if they are infected by the covid 19 virus. Those who are having regular pain in the chest or suffering from pressure in the chest must also seek medical attention.
Let us see some of the differences between COVID-19 and HMPV infection
- HMPV is not a new type of Virus but covid 19 was a new respiratory virus that was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei province in China in the year 2020.
- NO vaccine is available for HMPV virus but vaccines are available for COVID-19 infection.
- No emergency have been declared so far in the case of the HMPV virus and the pandemic was declared in COVID-19 infection.
- The incubation period of the HMPV virus is three to six days. Cold-like symptoms can occur and can be recovered within 2 or 5 days. In the case of Covid 19, the symptoms begin to show from the 5th day after getting infected. The symptoms can last for almost 14 days in case of Covid 19 infection.
- There are no routine tests for the HMPV virus and there are routine tests for the COVID-19 infection.
Also read: California Bird Flu Outbreak: Emergency Measures and Public Safety Tips
Conclusion
Both the HMPV and COVID-19 virus can cause respiratory illness and pose a challenge to the health of the public. Understanding the differences between the two viruses is very important in the current situation. It is important to be aware of the differences in the symptoms of infections caused by HMPV and the COVID-19 virus for health care professionals and the public. In this article, we have discussed the differences and similarities between COVID-19 and HMPV infection.
