• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
'Hidden' illness HMPV easily mistaken for flu as doctors alerted to virus sweeping China

Home> Science> News

Published 15:35 7 Jan 2025 GMT

'Hidden' illness HMPV easily mistaken for flu as doctors alerted to virus sweeping China

Recent outbreaks in China have meant that people need to be more aware of 'new' virus

Harry Boulton

Harry Boulton

Featured Image Credit: LaylaBird / Clerkenwell / Getty
China
Health
Science

Advert

Advert

Advert

With cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) on the rise following outbreaks in China, doctors have warned of the 'hidden' symptoms that can easily be mistaken for the flu.

Reports have indicated an increase of HMPV cases in China in late 2024 and early 2025, leading many to worry that another world-halting virus is on its way.

Thankfully leading health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have advised that this isn't necessarily something to worry about on the same scale as COVID-19, as HMPV, originally discovered in 2001, is actually less prevalent in China than the same period last year.

Advert

Cases of the virus have been increasing in the US, with 1.94% of positive weekly tests for HMPV, but this is still much lower than that of flu (18.71%) and COVID (7.10%).

Doctors have warned against the 'hidden' symptoms of new viral outbreak (Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Doctors have warned against the 'hidden' symptoms of new viral outbreak (Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Instead, it's likely that the increased spread of HMPV is due to the fact that many people are spending more time close to one another as the end of the year welcomes various parties, events, and social gatherings.

That doesn't mean that it's something you'll be fine to ignore though, as the virus can prove dangerous - especially if you manage to catch it alongside any other similar respiratory infections.

Advert

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, infectious diseases specialist at the University of California, explains that: "Sure, you can get serious disease from HMPV itself, but if you get HMPV plus pneumococcus or HMPV plus influenza or RSV, it could be much worse."

Professor Jaya Dantas at Curtin University has also outlined that: "In young children, the elderly, and those who are immune compromised, HMPV can lead to severe cases and can move to the lower respiratory tract and may lead to pneumonia."

It appears to be particularly dangerous upon first infection, and HMPV is notoriously one of the leader causes of respiratory infections like pneumonia in children under the age of five.

Professor Paul Hunter at the University of East Anglia details: "Almost every child will have at least one infection with HMPV by their fifth birthday and we can expect to go on to have multiple reinfections throughout life."

Advert

Perhaps the most concerning factor of HMPV is how difficult it is to spot compared to other similar illnesses, as it presents many of the same symptoms as the flu or even a common cold.

Coughing into your elbow and away from your hands is the best course of action (George Wood/Getty Images)
Coughing into your elbow and away from your hands is the best course of action (George Wood/Getty Images)

Expect to face a cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath if you've contracted HMPV, and experts indicate that the incubation period is around three to six days.

If you do exhibit any of the above symptoms your best course of action is to stay inside and away from others, and if you do have to leave the house make sure to wear a mask and ensure that you cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

Advert

There is currently no vaccine or treatment for HMPV, so the best thing you can do to prevent infection is to remain on top of your hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water.

Choose your content:

2 days ago
  • 2 days ago

    World's biggest lithium reservoir with $1,500,000,000,000,000 worth of the precious metal hiding in supervolcano

    This could turn the US into a leading global supplier of the valuable metal

    Science
  • 2 days ago

    Earth could be hit today by insane 600,000 mile-wide solar eruption that triggers extreme geomagnetic storm

    Scientists are warning that this could cause disruptions on Earth

    Science
  • 2 days ago

    Scientists reveal people really can die from a broken heart but one gender is more like to suffer from it

    Heartbreak is now considered an actual health condition, and it can actually kill you

    Science
  • 2 days ago

    Scientists build dystopian 32ft ‘black box’ solely designed to record the end of civilization

    It's the end of the world as we know it

    Science
  • What you need to know about HMPV as the virus outbreak surges across China
  • How to tell the difference between flu and HMPV as experts say deadly disease is easily mistaken
  • Scientists discover new bat coronavirus in China that sparks pandemic fears
  • China has discovered 'limitless' energy source that could supply enough fuel to 'power the country for 60,000 years'