It's not like Coddy-19, what do you need to know about the HMPV virus spreading to China?

Since then, Beijing has acknowledged an increase in cases of metaphneumovrus similar to flu (HMPV), especially in children, and attributed this to a seasonal increase.

But HMPV is not like David-19, public health experts have said, noting that the virus has existed for decades, with almost every child infected on his fifth birthday, the BBC reports, the Express broadcasts.

In some very young children and people with weakened immune systems, however, it can cause more serious illness. Here's what you need to know:

What is HMPV, and how does it spread?

HMPV is a virus that will lead to a slight infection of the upper respiratory leaflet, practically indistinguishable from flu for most people.

First identified in the Netherlands in 2001, the virus spreads through direct contact between people or when someone touches the surfaces contaminated with it.

Symptoms for most people include coughing, fever, and napping.

Young people, including children under two years of age, are more vulnerable to the virus, along with those with weakened immune systems, including older and more advanced cancers, says Hsu Li Yang, a doctor of infectious diseases in Singapore.

If infected, a small, but significant <x0-proposion” among the immunocomprojectors will develop more severe lung - affected diseases, stroke, and crust symptoms.

Many of them will seek hospital care, with a lower risk of death from” infection, Dr. Hsu said.

Why the Increase in China?

Like many respiratory infections, HMPV is more active during the end of winter and spring some experts say it is because viruses survive best in the cold and switch more easily from person to person as people stay more often at home.

In northern China, the current HMPV growth coincides with low temperatures expected to last until March.

In fact, many countries in the northern hemisphere, including but not restricted to China, are experiencing an additional prevalence of HMPV, said Jacques Stephens, an epidemiologist at Flinders University in Australia.

“While this is disturbing, increased maturity is likely to be the first normal seasonal growth in winter”, she said.

Data from health authorities in the United Kingdom shows that these countries have experienced an increase in HMPV cases since October last year.

Is HMPV like Coddy-19? How concerned should we be?

Fear of a Cardi-19-style pandemic is excessive, experts said, noting that pandemics are usually caused by new pathogens, which is not the case for HMPV.

HMPV is present globally and has existed for decades. This means that people around the world have “some existing immunity due to previous exposure”, Dr. Hsu said.

And almost every child will have at least one HMPV infection until his fifth birthday and we can expect to continue to have multiple reinfluences throughout life, says Paul Hunter, a medical professor at the University of East England.

So, generally, I don't think there's actually any sign of a more serious global issue”.

However, Dr. Hsu recommends general standards such as wearing a mask in crowded places, avoiding crowds where it is possible to avoid more serious diseases from respiratory infections, practicing good hand hygiene, and taking a flu vaccine.