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Globally, two viruses—COVID-19 and HMPV—have been causing infection. But how are they similar and different? Let’s take a closer look to better understand these viruses and stay healthy.
Similarities
1. Modes of Transmission:
Both HMPV and COVID-19 spread through respiratory droplets, direct contact, and contaminated surfaces.
These viruses can be transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing droplets that can be inhaled by others or land on surfaces that others touch.
2. Respiratory Symptoms:
Both viruses can cause a range of respiratory symptoms, from mild to severe, including cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
They pose a significant risk to vulnerable populations such as infants, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
3. Vulnerable Groups:
Young children, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk for severe illness from both HMPV and COVID-19.
4. Seasonality:
Both viruses exhibit seasonal patterns. HMPV infections typically peak from late winter to early spring, while COVID-19 cases have shown sensitivity to temperature variations, often rising during colder months.
Differences
1.Virology :
HMPV is a metapneumovirus, whereas COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
The underlying viruses are different, leading to variations in their behavior and impact on the human body.
2. Symptom Spectrum :
COVID-19 has a broader spectrum of symptoms, including unique manifestations such as loss of taste and smell.
COVID-19 also has a higher potential for systemic complications, including blood clotting and multi-organ failure.
3.Severity and Presentation:
HMPV typically causes mild cold-like symptoms but can escalate to bronchiolitis or pneumonia in high-risk groups, often accompanied by wheezing and breathing difficulties.
COVID-19 symptoms range from asymptomatic cases to severe complications like pneumonia, systemic symptoms (e.g., muscle aches), and even multi-organ failure in critical cases.
4. Management and Treatment:
COVID-19 benefits from the availability of vaccines and antiviral therapies, which have significantly impacted its management and control.
HMPV management is limited to supportive care, focusing on symptom relief and respiratory support in severe cases, as there are no specific antivirals or vaccines currently available for HMPV.
5. Public Health Impact:
Dr. Goyal highlighted that while HMPV can cause severe respiratory illness, its mortality rate and prevalence are lower compared to COVID-19.
HMPV is not as transmissible or as virulent for the general population as COVID-19.
6. Severity:
HMPV severity ranges from mild to severe, with severe cases primarily in infants, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. It is rarely fatal.
COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and potentially critical, with the potential to cause death even in healthy individuals.
7. Mortality Rate:
HMPV has a lower overall mortality rate, with fatalities typically linked to preexisting conditions or age.
COVID-19 has a higher mortality rate, especially early in the pandemic, with rates varying with the availability of vaccines and the emergence of different variants.
8. Hospitalization:
HMPV hospitalizations are less frequent and mainly occur in young children and older adults.
COVID-19 hospitalizations are frequent across all age groups and have posed a significant healthcare burden globally.
9. Transmission Method:
HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets, close contact, and contaminated surfaces.
COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets, aerosols, and contaminated surfaces, with more airborne transmission than HMPV.
10. Infectiousness:
HMPV has moderate transmissibility.
COVID-19 is highly transmissible, with variations depending on the variant (e.g., Delta, Omicron).
11. Common Symptoms:
HMPV symptoms include fever, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, loss of taste or smell (early strains), sore throat, and headache.
12. Severe Complications:
HMPV can lead to bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and respiratory failure in high-risk groups.
COVID-19 can cause severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), blood clots, and multi-organ failure.
13. Unique Symptoms:
HMPV is more likely to cause wheezing and bronchiolitis, especially in children.
COVID-19 is known for the loss of taste and smell (specific to earlier variants) and broader systemic symptoms.
14. Acute Illness Duration:
HMPV typically resolves in 1-2 weeks for healthy individuals.
COVID-19 recovery varies and can take weeks or months, with some individuals experiencing long COVID symptoms.
15. Chronic Complications:
HMPV rarely causes post-viral issues.
COVID-19 can lead to long-term cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and fatigue-related complications.
16. Reinfection:
HMPV reinfections are possible, with immunity being temporary and partial.
COVID-19 reinfections are common, with severity varying based on immunity and variants.
The Medical Bulletin
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