Introduction
Human metapneumovirus is a virus that causes a respiratory infection. Most of the time the virus affects only the nose and throat (upper respiratory tract), but the virus can also affect the lungs and breathing tubes (lower respiratory tract). It is usually more severe if it affects the lower respiratory tract.
Most children get an infection caused by this virus by the time they are 5 years old.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by human metapneumovirus. You can get this condition by:
Breathing in droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze.
Touching something that was recently contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to develop in …show more content…
Shortness of breath.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition may be diagnosed based on:
Your child's symptoms.
A physical exam.
Tests, such as:
Blood tests.
A chest X-ray.
Tests of fluid from your child's nose or throat or of mucus that your child coughs up.
How is this treated?
This condition usually clears up on its own in 10–14 days. Symptoms such as a fever and a stuffy nose may be treated with medicines. Children with a severe infection that cause breathing problems may need to stay at the hospital where they can get oxygen or other kinds of breathing support.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child's health care provider.
Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye syndrome.
Use saline nose drops to loosen mucus if told by your child's health care provider.
General instructions
Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her urine clear or pale yellow.
If possible, put a cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom to help with breathing.
Make sure your child rests. He or she should not be active until symptoms are gone.
Teach your child to cover his or her mouth and nose when sneezing or
Human metapneumovirus is a virus that causes a respiratory infection. Most of the time the virus affects only the nose and throat (upper respiratory tract), but the virus can also affect the lungs and breathing tubes (lower respiratory tract). It is usually more severe if it affects the lower respiratory tract.
Most children get an infection caused by this virus by the time they are 5 years old.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by human metapneumovirus. You can get this condition by:
Breathing in droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze.
Touching something that was recently contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to develop in …show more content…
Shortness of breath.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition may be diagnosed based on:
Your child's symptoms.
A physical exam.
Tests, such as:
Blood tests.
A chest X-ray.
Tests of fluid from your child's nose or throat or of mucus that your child coughs up.
How is this treated?
This condition usually clears up on its own in 10–14 days. Symptoms such as a fever and a stuffy nose may be treated with medicines. Children with a severe infection that cause breathing problems may need to stay at the hospital where they can get oxygen or other kinds of breathing support.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child's health care provider.
Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye syndrome.
Use saline nose drops to loosen mucus if told by your child's health care provider.
General instructions
Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her urine clear or pale yellow.
If possible, put a cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom to help with breathing.
Make sure your child rests. He or she should not be active until symptoms are gone.
Teach your child to cover his or her mouth and nose when sneezing or