All of us get some respiratory viral infection off and on during the course of our lives. Yesterday I came across some disturbing reports, originating from Indian media houses and the British Broadcasting Corporation, about supposed appearance of a respiratory infection in China. As a medical professional, I did a literature search keeping in mind the dreadful novel coronavirus pandemic in not so distant a past.
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been talked about in medical literature already. It is prevalent around the globe, and is not a new entity. It is related to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Virus but is far less dangerous, and does not cause as severe an illness as in Covid-19. After contracting HMPV, a person generally gets a runny nose, symptoms of a throat infection, and possibly cough and fever which will last up to one week, and then go away. HMPV is mostly contracted by children under the age of five years or in persons above sixty-five years, and occasionally by other age groups. It can cause severe symptoms in those who have pre-existing lung conditions such as bronchitis, asthma or in cigarette smokers.
I think this sensationalisation should be curtailed at the very start before the panic sets in and steps should be taken to raise public awareness on this concern through print and electronic media. Federal authorities in Pakistan should broach the matter with appropriate quarters. Since it has become part of news headlines even in Pakistani electronic media, it is our duty to allay public fears as soon as possible.
Dr Faheem Akhtar
Lahore
