The Human Metapneumovirus has symptoms similar to a common cold, yet babies and the elderly are severely affected and can fall really badly sick. While this virus has not spread like wildfire like COVID-19 has, we still have to be very, very careful because oversight has come back to bite us way too many times.
This virus can affect the elderly in a number of ways. It can be fatal - or cause an increased risk of bronchiolitis, bronchitis or pneumonia - reinfection with HPMV can result in a significant amount of illness in the elderly, especially those who are institutionalised. Also, 40% of elderly patients who are infected with HMPV develop pneumonitis. So, how do you prevent HMPV in the elderly?