Fulminant flu: What you need to know about metapneumovirus to protect yourself

Fulminant flu: What you need to know about metapneumovirus to protect yourself

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While the network was full of news about a new disease, the controversy about the Coxsackie virus had not yet subsided. It was popularly called “Chinese” and “Fulminant” flu. The official name of the disease is metapneumovirus.

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Recently St. Cases of infection in St. Petersburg were known. Before this, alarming reports came from the Voronezh and Rostov regions, the Siberian Federal District, the Trans-Baikal Territory and the Far East bordering China, where an outbreak of infection was recorded at the end of last year.

We have collected all the important information about Metapneumovirus for you. Here’s what authoritative experts say about the infection: Doctors and employees of Rospotrebnadzor.


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How do you get sick?

Metapneumovirus is not called fulminant for nothing. He attacks fast. Like other acute respiratory viral infections, the disease is transmitted through airborne droplets and indoor contact. Simply put, to reduce the likelihood of meeting an uninvited guest, you need to follow simple hygiene rules during the winter months.


symptoms

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What is metapneumovirus? At first glance, it looks like a typical ARVI. The time from infection to the appearance of the first symptoms is 3-5 days. There may be no symptoms, but most often they are cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, shortness of breath and hoarseness. In the most complex and severe cases, the virus, like any other, can cause bronchitis or pneumonia.

Metapneumovirus poses the greatest danger to children under five years of age and the elderly. Their lungs are weaker and the risk of complications is higher. People with poor health are traditionally at risk.


How do you protect yourself?

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During a wave of metapneumoviruses, you need to act as during any ARVI epidemic:

  • After visiting public places, you need to wash your hands and apply antiseptic.
  • You should not touch your face with dirty hands.
  • You should cover yourself with a tissue or handkerchief when sneezing or coughing.
  • Wear a mask and maintain social distance when visiting public places.

But in no case should you engage in self-diagnosis and self-medication. Instead of heroically going to work or school due to illness, it is better to consult a doctor and stay at home. This will help you protect yourself from complications and not infect others.

new old friend

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If we have heard about this disease for the first time, this does not mean that scientists do not know anything about it yet. The official website of Rospotrebnadzor reports that the causative agent of metapneumovirus infection, called “human metapneumovirus”, was discovered in 2001. Archival data from analyzes of patients with acute respiratory infection prove that the pathogen has been circulating among humans since at least the 1950s.

Metapneumovirus affects millions of people worldwide each year. It’s just that immunity to infection is not so stable that reinfection does not occur after several months.


Where does panic come from?

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At the end of 2024, a report of a new outbreak of infection emerged from China. The Internet is full of photos of mass medical examinations from a neighboring state. Because the memory of the coronavirus pandemic is still fresh, it has troubling connotations for many.

In fact, in recent years, the world has seriously strengthened measures to prevent the spread of various infections. They began to provide more information, among other things. Therefore, photographs of people being examined en masse are not cause for panic. This is a sign of increased control over the situation.

Epidemiological services in Russia also keep the spread of the infection under control. Assessing the situation, Rospotrebnadzor found no reason to cancel mass events or transfer employees and students to remote mode.

Source: People Talk

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