Earlier this year, there were dozens of warning issued by doctors about an oncoming “tripledemic” – a massive wave of Covid, flu, and RSV that was expected to push hospitals to their capacity. Thankfully, the tripledemic never quite materialized, but another virus is wreaking havoc in hospitals and pediatric ICUs. The virus is the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which can cause bronchitis and pneumonia. Cases of people sickened by it rose to record levels this spring, according to a CDC virus surveillance system, with a top pediatrician calling it “the most important virus you’ve never heard of.” In addition to the flu and RSV, HMPV was one of the viruses most likely to hospitalize, and sometimes kill, people throughout the country, with 11% of cases testing positive for it – 36% higher than the average seasonal peak prior to the pandemic. Because testing for the virus is still so limited, it’s unknown how many people get infected or die from it each year, but test positivity is on the rise. The virus generally causes a cough, runny nose, sore throat, and fever. More serious cases can result in patients struggling to breathe, bronchitis, or pneumonia. As with most viruses, babies and the elderly are most at risk of being severely sickened by it. Anyone open to lockdowns and masks to stop the spread and flatten the curve? (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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