Breathe Easy! HMPV virus has always been in the air

The Human Metapneumovirus HMPV is a selflimiting isolated virus which is always in the atmosphererdquo say paediatricians Ideally they paediatricians provide symptomatic treatment for seasonal flu with fever cold and cough which is caused by selflimiting viruses that last for a mere four days and in case of secondary bacterial infection they provide antibioticsDr Fazal Nabi director of paediatrics Jaslok Hospital and Dr Santosh Kadam president IMA MaharashtraWhile therersquos been a rise in pediatric clinic visits recently most cases donrsquot require hospitalisation These are selflimiting viruses Parents should avoid panic and seek medical help only if symptoms worsen or persist beyond two to three daysrdquo said Dr Fazal Nabi Director of Pediatrics at Jaslok HospitalVirus not newldquoWhen infection persists the Respiratory BioFire test is advised This is a multiplex polymerase chain reaction PCR test that identifies nucleic acids from 23 different bacteria and viruses that commonly cause upper and lower respiratory tract infections It is an expensive test and would vary anywhere between Rs 25000 to Rs 30000 per testrdquo said Dr NabiAvoid rushing to the clinic the moment your child shows seasonal flu say doctors Representation piciSTOCKViral vs bacterial infectionsldquoIn cases of cold symptoms include watery nasal discharge sore throat body aches and fever following this pattern day one severe day two moderate day three mild and day four near normal However secondary bacterial infections may worsen symptoms from day three onwards causing yellowgreen nasal discharge similarly coloured phlegm and throat redness Conditions like influenza or swine flu can escalate to bronchitis ear infections and pneumonia requiring antibiotics hospitalisation and viral panelBioFire tests to identify and treat the infectionrdquo said Dr NabiNatural immunity in newbornHMPV does not impact or affect any newborn baby day 1 to breastfeeding age eight months It only impacts infants who are nine months and older and are vulnerable When asked to explain Dr Nabi said ldquoA newborn receives protective immunity from their mother at birth lasting three months With proper lactation and care this immunity extends naturally offering further protection until the infant reaches nine months of agerdquoldquoHowever from the ninth month infants naturally encounter infections building immunity through exposure This process strengthens their defence until school age However poor nutrition overprotection excessive medication and frequent visits to clinics or hospitals can hinder immune development preventing natural adaptation to infections A balanced diet and limited interference are crucialrdquo said Dr NabiMildly symptomatic carriersWhen asked how a newborn may get infected with HMPV without having any travel history Dr B Srikanth a consulting paediatrician attached to Apollo Hospital CBD Belapur said ldquoLike other respiratory infections many carriers of the virus may be mildly symptomatic and infection can spread through droplets These infected but mildly symptomatic siblings or elders in the family can be the carriers and transmit the virus to the newbornrdquoldquoAvoid rushing to the clinic or hospital the moment your child shows seasonal flu symptoms Do not presume it to be HMPV just observe at home for two to three days by providing basic line of treatment and home remedies and this would prevent the child from getting any secondary infections Though the state and civic health officials have not listed out any advisory wearing a mask proper hand washing with soap and water and avoiding crowded areas will be advisablerdquo said Dr SrikanthParents need not worry IMAldquoAlmost all the infants who tested positive for HMPV have been discharged from the hospitals and this itself shows that the cases of HMPV so far have not caused any severe illness We are seeing nonmutated HMPV virus in India unlike China where the virus might have mutatedrdquo said Dr Santosh Kadam a paediatrician and president of Indian Medical Association MaharashtraldquoWe have not seen any surge in the respiratory infection cases during winter as per data available between December and Januaryrsquos first week and hence parents need not panic and become anxious about HMPV If the number increases in the coming days we are supposed to adhere to universal precautions viz wearing masks not touching your face washing hands with soap and water etcrdquo Dr Kadam addedRs 25000Rs 30000Cost of Respiratory BioFire test