What are 7 key tips to protect yourself from HMPV while travelling?

It is now 2025 when the world is finally past most of the various social, medical, economic, and industrial impacts of the global pandemic arising from COVID-19. While the original SARS-CoV virus originated in China in 2002, it emerged in an evolved form titled SARS-CoV-2 or COVID disease in 2019.

While this threat of a disease emerging in China was rebuked and not taken as seriously, more and more people started becoming infected, resulting in operations around the world grinding to a halt with over 7 million deaths and many more millions of people hospitalised. This was one of the largest scale and most substantive pandemics in human history and one which has shaken us to our core to this day.

Now, there is news of a new virus around the block, again originating from China. There has been a recent surge in individuals suffering from the virus, which has similar characteristics. Like COVID-19, this new virus is called Human Metapneumovirus, or HMPV.

What is Human Metapneumovirus?

Initially discovered in the Netherlands in 2001, HMPV is a virus similar to COVID-19. HMPV symptoms resemble those of a common cold, including coughing or wheezing, a runny nose, or a sore throat.

HMPV often causes upper respiratory infections, but it can sometimes cause lower respiratory infections like pneumonia and asthma flare-ups or make chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worse.

HMPV infections are more common in the winter and early spring, with most individuals getting infected before they turn 5. While getting HMPV again if a person is already infected is possible, symptoms are usually mild after the first infection.

What are the signs of upper respiratory infection?

Also known as URTI or Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, it is a common viral infection that affects the nose, throat and airways. Upper respiratory tract infections usually resolve within seven to 10 days.

Signs of upper respiratory infection typically include a scratchy or sore throat, sneezing, stuffy nose, and cough with pain areas in the sinuses, nasal congestion, post nasal drip, loss of smell, whole body fatigue, fever, sinusitis, wheezing, irritation of tonsils, inflammation of the ear, headache, phlegm and swollen lymph nodes which usually resolve within two weeks.

It is known to spread via airborne respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes, touching contaminated surfaces, and saliva. Some common treatments include rest and medication to relieve symptoms.

What are the signs of lower lung infection?

Lower respiratory tract infection is commonly used as a synonym for pneumonia. However, it can also refer to many other infections that affect the lungs and lower airways, including lung abscesses and acute bronchitis. Symptoms of lower lung infection include shortness of breath, weakness, fever, coughing, and fatigue. Although a virus usually causes this infection, bacteria or other less common organisms can also cause it.

According to the World Health Organization, in 2021, "Lower respiratory infections remained the world's most deadly communicable disease other than COVID-19, ranked as the fifth leading cause of death."

What is the risk associated with the HMPV virus?

While it is still scary, and the situation needs to be constantly monitored, According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Most cases are mild, but young children, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for serious illness.”

In addition, the Indian government is taking steps to prevent a situation similar to COVID-19 from happening again, with the Union Health Secretary reviewing the present situation of respiratory illnesses in the country and the status of public health measures for their management. She also reiterated that there is no unusual rise or surge of respiratory disease in the country, with measures taken to better the surveillance to detect such cases.

In the USA, HMPV is similar to a virus better known as respiratory syncytial virus, or R.S.V. It causes symptoms much like those associated with flu and Covid, including cough, fever, nasal congestion and wheezing.

What are 7 key tips to protect yourself from HMPV while travelling?

While some medical experts have dubbed it less severe than the COVID-19 virus, one can never be too sure to take precautions and protect oneself from the potential risk. This is why one of the best ways to deal with any health risk is to seek preventive care methods, especially washing hands frequently, wearing masks, social distancing, and more.

The following are seven key tips to protect yourself from HMPV:

1. Digital check-in

   When travelling, always make sure to complete your check-in at least a day before your trip to avoid any hassles at the last minute. While it is mandatory for domestic trips, it may not be possible to do so for international trips, but if it is possible, do make sure to look for a way to avoid gathering in a crowd, like when waiting to check in.

2. Wash hands frequently

   Washing hands frequently is a good hygiene tip, whether to avoid a virus or not. Washing hands before eating, after eating, and after touching anything, when you can, can be quite helpful in protecting yourself from numerous risks.

3. Wear protective masks

   One of the most popular preventive measures from the Covid-19 era is to wear protective masks. While there was no noticeable difference between a surgical mask and N95 masks during COVID-19, having either one when visiting crowded areas, especially airports, can help prevent many risks, not just HMPV.

4. Maintain social distancing

   Always try to maintain social distancing from strangers to ensure that there is no chance of transmission of the virus. While it is difficult to ensure the 6 feet distance between another person in India, try to avoid being in close proximity to them.

5. Minimise contact with shared or contaminated surfaces

   One of the primary sources of upper respiratory tract information is touching contaminated surfaces that have been touched by others as well. These mainly include railings, wash basin knobs, tables, and many other such common and shared surfaces.

6. Pre-flight health screening

   If you are travelling to or from a country where there are known cases of HMPV, or there are advisories in place, ensure that you have pre-flight health screening and assess any symptoms beforehand to avoid getting others sick. 

7. Get travel insurance

   Always get travel insurance to protect yourself and your loved ones when travelling. It helps in various situations, including medical emergencies like HMPV and non-medical risks such as trip cancellation, personal accidents, lost checked-in baggage, etc. Look for a reliable insurer like Niva Bupa to get comprehensive policies at competitive prices, offering complete protection and peace of mind.

Conclusion

Travelling is one of the activities that open up the world to us, enabling us to enjoy our time on this beautiful planet. While there are numerous risks, ranging from the previous COVID-19 to the HMPV now, it is critical to be aware of the dangers and take necessary precautions to avoid and prevent such risks from taking effect in the first place. So follow the above preventative health care tips and protect yourself and your loved ones from HMPB when travelling, whether in India or anywhere in the world.