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Which Virus Is Causing Congestion, Coughing In So Many? Here's A Hint: It's Not COVID

ALABAMA (WHNT) — It's not a COVID surge, but lately, another respiratory infection going around is leaving many people coughing and checking their temperatures.

Excessive chest congestion, horrible coughs, fever and shortness of breath make up the symptoms of the Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which has similar symptoms to COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Despite the number of COVID and RSV cases falling this spring, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that nearly 19.6% of antigen tests and 11% of PCR tests were positive for HMPV, which was first discovered in 2001. That's a 36% increase from pre-pandemic numbers when the positivity rate was around 7%.

While the warm summer months help cases of cold, flu and other respiratory viruses decline, the number of people suffering from HMPV is still higher than normal.

According to the CDC, the virus can cause upper and lower respiratory disease in all ages, especially young kids, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Severe cases could progress to bronchitis or pneumonia.

The estimated incubation period ranges from three to six days, and the course of HMPV can differ depending upon severity. However, the illness' duration is similar to other respiratory infections, such as the common cold and RSV.

While medical experts say there is no specific treatment, vaccine or antiviral therapy for HMPV, thorough handwashing, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, not sharing food or drink, refraining from kissing, and staying home when sick are all encouraged.

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Cold And Flu: Natural Remedies That Can Give You Quick And Lasting Relief

Cold and flu relief: Change in season affects many people's health. Cold, cough, and flu are all common in this season and considering the current quality of air and smog in Delhi, cold and cough have unfortunately made their way to many households.

While there are medicines that can help you with your condition, here's a list of a few natural remedies that can give you relief too.

Turmeric Milk

This is a staple in almost every Indian household! One of the very first things our parents ask us to consume is the good old turmeric milk and we can't complain, it does wonders!

Chicken soup

Hot chicken soup when you are down with a fever or cold can really soothe your soul. Doctors believe it's good to take liquids during the flu and chicken soup will not only help you feel better it will also nourish your body.

Ginger tea

Ginger is known for improving immunity and if you have a sore throat, ginger tea will work like magic. Take it at least twice a day for a soothing touch.

Honey with tea/ warm water

Honey has proven to have antiviral properties and added to any liquid, it will only help you recover faster than expected. Keep having a good intake of fluids during cold or fever and if you add honey to it, you will feel much better. Also, it can be added as a sweetener too.

Amla

Rich in Vitamin C, Amla can really help you get over a cough and cold easily. Amla has been used for decades by many to recover from the flu and it still helps in recovering from one faster.

Always consult your doctor for any cold, fever, or flu-related symptoms. These are just quick fixes that you can try at home.

Doctor's Warning Over Killer Virus On The Rise With Symptoms Like Covid And The Flu

Doctors fears that people are not aware of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a virus that has the same symptoms as Covid and the flu and is on the rise

HMPV, which can cause killer pneumonia, and it was the second most common cause of respiratory infections in kids (

Image: Getty Images)

Doctors have warned that it is important you are aware of a killer virus - and you probably won't have heard of before.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that may not be on everyone's radar.

It has the same symptoms as Covid and the flu - causing cough, runny nose or nasal congestion - and is on the rise.

Studies have shown that over the last four years HMPV was just as common as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and flu in pensioners in hospital.

HMPV, which can cause killer pneumonia, and it was the second most common cause of respiratory infections in kids behind RSV in the last 25 years.

Symptoms of the virus include a runny nose, sore throat, cough and wheezing. More severely it can cause pneumonia (

Image:

Getty Images)

Dr John Williams, a paediatrician at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, fears that people are not aware of this fatal virus.

He said: "It's the most important virus you've never heard of.

"Those are the three major viruses. Those are the big three in kids and adults, the most likely to put people in the hospital and cause severe disease, most likely to sweep through nursing homes and make older people really sick and even kill them."

Worryingly, most people who catch HMPV have no idea as testing outside of hospitals is rare.

Symptoms of the virus include a runny nose, sore throat, cough and wheezing.

More severely, it can cause wheezing, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, cough, pneumonia; and in adults, aggravation of asthma, also has been reported.

Most people recover within about seven to 10 days.

However, people with weakened immune systems, asthma, or respiratory conditions may develop serious illness, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

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