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HMPV cases in India: A day after HMPV cases were confirmed in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, fresh human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases were detected in Nagpur, India Today reported on Tuesday. The total number of HMPV cases detected since January 6 has reached seven.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda said in a video message on Monday that health experts have clarified that HMPV is not a new virus, and there may be more cases of HMPV during winter and early spring.
Amid the current winter season, cases of respiratory diseases including HMPV, influenza, etc. are likely to increase in the coming days. Let us understand the treatment, symptoms and precautions of HMPV and whether their treatment includes antibiotics.
HMPV cases in India: Symptoms of viral infection
Cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms of HMPV infection. In severe cases, symptoms may also include pneumonia or bronchitis, according to the US CDC.
Adults infected with hMPV may experience cough, mucus production, nasal congestion, or runny nose. These symptoms may also be accompanied by mucus formation, fatigue, body ache and sore throat.
“While most adults experience mild upper respiratory illness, vulnerable groups (children under 5, the elderly, and individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart or kidney disease, and cancer) may develop wheezing, bronchitis, or pneumonia. may face more serious complications,” said Dr. Sandeep Budhiraja, Group Medical Director – Max Healthcare and Senior Director – Institute of Internal Medicine.
HMPV cases in India: Does treatment include antibiotics?
“Antibiotics have no role in viral infections like HMPV. Our body recovers from such infections on its own. However, patients may require symptomatic treatment focusing on fever, body ache, cough etc,” said Dr Ankit Yadav, pediatrician, Civil Hospital Sarangpur, Madhya Pradesh.
Yadav said doctors often prescribe antibiotics when a patient suffering from a viral infection also develops a secondary bacterial infection.
“In many cases when patients show severe symptoms like high fever and chest tightness, antibiotics are recommended for further treatment, but are not prescribed initially,” he said.
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