Respiratory Infections Spike Again with New Virus Strain.

Cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus, have spiked this spring in the US, while COVID-19 and RSV rates were falling. The CDC reported 19.6% of antigen tests and nearly 11% of PCR tests for HMPV were positive in early March. Symptoms of HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. The virus is spread by coughs and sneezes, close personal contact, and touching surfaces infected with the virus. There is no vaccine or antiviral drug to treat HMPV.