Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)

Written by Shishira Sreenivas
Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on December 17, 2024
6 min read

Human metapneumovirus, also known as HMPV, is a type of common respiratory virus. It belongs to a family of viruses called pneumoviridae – the same group the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) belongs to. 

If you have HMPV, you might have mild cold-like symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, or a sore throat for a few days. In rare cases, you might have more serious symptoms, especially if you have a weakened immune system or other risk factors. Anyone can get it, but it's more common in those who are very young or older.

Dutch scientists discovered it over 20 years ago. But research now shows it's been the source of respiratory infections around the world for more than 50 years. 

It's very common. In fact, research shows that most people are likely to have an infection at least once before age 5. You can be infected multiple times in your life. In children, human metapneumovirus makes up about 1 in 10 of all respiratory infections. Anyone can get HMPV, but some groups are more at risk. 

While anyone can get HMPV, those at higher risk are:

  • Newborns
  • Children under 5
  • People who are older than 65
  • People with asthma who use steroids
  • Those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Those with a weakened immune system due to conditions like cancer or HIV, or who've had an organ transplant

Like any virus, human metapneumovirus is contagious, which means you can get it if you come in contact with someone who's been infected. It’s also seasonal. This means that in the U.S., you’re more likely to get HMPV during winter or early spring months – around the same time as flu season. 

The virus largely spreads when you come in close contact with an infected person. You might become exposed to the virus if you:

  • Touch surfaces that contain the virus
  • Touch your mouth, nose, or eyes after you touch infected surfaces
  • Come in contact with droplets from an infected person through things like sneezing, spitting, or coughing
  • Have close contact, such as handshakes and touching 

Once human metapneumovirus enters your body, the incubation period – the time between exposure to the first signs of symptoms – is three to six days. 

Most HMPV symptoms are mild. They can include:

  • Coughing
  • Nasal congestion
  • Runny nose
  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

These usually go away in two to five days. But they can worsen and cause serious health issues in some cases. Adults with other health issues or a compromised immune system can sometimes get a severe middle ear infection with human metapneumovirus. If your symptoms last more than two weeks or become severe, let your doctor know. 

A small number of people can have more serious HMPV symptoms, such as:

  • Wheezing
  • Asthma flare-ups 
  • A hard time breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Bronchitis 
  • Severe bronchiolitis (Most common in children, this chest infection can be fatal in rare cases.)
  • Pneumonia 

Babies under 1 may have a hard time feeding properly. Studies show that HMPV infections make up about 5% to 10% of hospitalizations among children. Data shows that up to 16% of them may get a serious complication, like pneumonia. 

If you notice serious symptoms, tell your doctor or seek medical care right away. You might need to be hospitalized so that doctors can closely monitor your symptoms.

Human metapneumovirus and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms – a runny nose, coughing, a fever, congestion, a sore throat, and shortness of breath. They spread in similar ways too. In their most serious forms, both can lead to hospitalization. But unlike COVID-19, there isn't antiviral therapy or a vaccine to treat HMPV. HMPV is a seasonal virus, typically appearing in winter and spring, as opposed to COVID-19, which can sometimes circulate year-round due to the development of new variants.

Studies have shown that incidences of HMPV increased three-fold in certain countries after the COVID-19 pandemic. When COVID-19 prevention measures were in full effect, people were less exposed to all types of respiratory illnesses. After these measures eased, respiratory illnesses like HMPV surged.

Typically, your doctor will do a detailed physical exam and ask you about your personal and family medical histories. 

They may take swabs from your nose, mouth, or throat. They might order a lab test called a rapid antigen test or PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to check for the virus. 

If you, or your child, has severe symptoms, your doctor may do a bronchoscopy. In that procedure, they insert a thin tube with a camera on its tip through your throat. They use that to collect a fluid sample to check for the virus. 

There’s no specific treatment or cure. Since most symptoms are mild and go away on their own, you’ll just need supportive care to manage your symptoms while you get well. 

To help ease your symptoms in the meantime, you can:

  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to ease symptoms like fever, pain, and coughing
  • Use decongestants to help with stuffiness or a runny nose 
  • Use an inhaler to help with breathing problems like wheezing or coughing
  • Use a corticosteroid nasal spray to ease pressure inside your nose 

Your doctor may also prescribe a steroid like prednisone to help with inflammation. 

There's no vaccine to prevent HMPV. But since it spreads through close contact, there are some ways to help protect yourself and avoid infection. 

You can lower the risk to yourself and others by: 

  • Staying away from people who are sick
  • Washing your hands with soap and water for least 20 seconds before touching your mouth, eyes, or nose
  • Keeping current on vaccinations and seeing your doctor for regular checkups
  • Covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Try to cough into your elbow away from others.
  • Using alcohol wipes or sanitizers after you sneeze or cough onto your hands
  • Not touching high-contact surfaces like hand railings or doorknobs

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that causes cold-like respiratory symptoms. Most people get HMPV before the age of 5, and the symptoms are typically mild. But babies under 12 months, adults over 65, and those with weakened immunity have a risk of getting a more serious illness. HMPV is part of the same virus family as RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), but they are not the same.

How long are you contagious with human metapneumovirus?

HMPV takes about three to six days to develop, and symptoms last about as long as other mild respiratory viruses, from two to seven days.

Can you get HMPV twice?

Yes, you can get it more than once, but symptoms are typically milder after your first bout with it.

How do you get tested for human metapneumovirus?

Unless symptoms are serious, you usually aren't tested for HMPV. If you are tested, you doctor typically gets a sample by swabbing your nose or throat. Sometimes your doctor might order a chest X-ray or bronchoscopy.

How long does it take to recover from HMPV?

If you don't have a serious case, it usually takes a couple of days to a week to recover from HMPV. Symptoms like coughing may last a bit longer. Call your doctor if your symptoms, or your child's, don't get better after a few days, or if a fever lasts for more than three days.

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