What is Human Metapneumovirus

Human metapneumovirus infection is a respiratory infection. Most of the time this infection affects only the nose and throat (upper respiratory tract), but it can also affect the lungs and airways (lower respiratory tract). It is usually more severe if it affects the lower respiratory tract.

Most children get this type of infection by the time they are 5 years old.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by a virus called human metapneumovirus. Your child may have gotten this condition by:

• Breathing in droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze.
• Touching something that was recently contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop in younger children. It is more likely to be severe in children who are younger than 1 year old.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition usually begin 3–6 days after the virus enters the body. Repeat infections typically cause fewer symptoms than the first infection.

Symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection include:

• A runny or stuffy nose.
• A sore throat.
• A cough.
• A fever.

Symptoms of a lower respiratory tract infection include:

• A cough.
• A high fever.
• A hoarse voice.
• Trouble breathing.
• Wheezing.
• Shortness of breath.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your child’s symptoms.
• A physical exam.
• Tests, such as:
  • Blood tests.
  • A chest X-ray.
  • Tests of fluid from your child’s nose or throat, or of mucus that your child coughs up.

How is this treated?

This condition usually clears up on its own in 10–14 days. Symptoms such as a fever and a stuffy nose may be treated with medicines. Children with a severe infection that causes breathing problems may need to stay at the hospital where they can get oxygen or other kinds of breathing support.

Your child may take a week or more to get fully well, but should steadily improve.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye syndrome.
• Use saline nose drops to loosen mucus if told by your child’s health care provider.

Activity

• Make sure your child rests. Your child should not be active until symptoms are gone.
• Your child may return to school or daycare when both of these things happen:
  • Your child has not had a fever for 24 hours.
  • Your child’s eating and drinking have improved.

General instructions

• Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her urine clear or pale yellow.
• If possible, put a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s bedroom to help with breathing.
• Avoid exposing your child to secondhand smoke.
• Teach your child to cover his or her mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
• Wash your child’s hands often, especially after your child coughs or sneezes. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.

How is this prevented?

• Wash your hands and your child’s hands often.
• Throw away all used tissues.
• Clean surfaces with a disinfectant wipe.
• Limit you child’s contact with sick people.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child’s symptoms get worse.
• Mucus from your child’s nose becomes thick, yellow, or green.
• The skin under your child’s nose becomes crusted or scabbed.
• Your child complains of ear pain or is pulling on her or his ears.

Get help right away if:

• Your child who is younger than 3 months old has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.
• Your child has trouble breathing.
• Your child has symptoms of dehydration, such as:
  • Dry mouth.
  • Thirst.
  • A small amount of urine.
  • Wrinkly skin.
  • No tears.
  • Sleepiness.
  • Dizziness.
  • A sunken soft spot on top of the head.

Summary

• Human metapneumovirus is a virus that causes a respiratory infection.
• This condition is more likely to be severe in children who are younger than 1 year old.
• This condition usually clears up on its own in 10–14 days.
• Children with a severe infection that causes breathing problems may need to stay at the hospital where they can get oxygen or other kinds of breathing support.