A doctor reassures the public about HMPV, emphasizing it’s not a new threat like Covid-19
Dublin: A doctor recently took to social media to calm fears about human metapneumovirus, or HMPV. She insists it’s nothing new and definitely not like Covid. There have been videos online showing hospitals packed with HMPV patients, especially kids coughing in long lines at pediatric units.
Some unverified reports even claim that crematoriums and funeral homes are overwhelmed. But Dr. Niamh Lynch, an Irish pediatrician, reassured her 100,000 TikTok followers that there’s no need to panic.
She mentioned, “I see this every day of the week, every week of the winter, because it’s nothing new. We deal with HMPV all the time.”
China’s CDC has also brushed off fears of another pandemic. A spokesperson said respiratory infections usually peak in winter and that this year’s cases seem less severe than last year’s.
Dr. Niamh explained that HMPV symptoms are pretty similar to the common flu. It can cause sore throats, coughs, and even a bit of wheezing. She said, “You manage it just like any other viral illness—with pain relief, fluids, and lots of rest.”
She pointed out that people are linking HMPV to Covid just to grab attention and create fear. The rise in infections might be due to better tracking technology, she added. Importantly, HMPV isn’t a new virus; it’s been around for decades, so many people have some immunity from past infections.
One TikTok follower shared, “It’s not new. My twins had this over a year ago. Sickest they have ever been.” Others thanked Dr. Niamh for her advice, with one saying, “OMG, thanks for putting my mind at ease.”
Another follower, Charlotte, echoed that sentiment, saying, “Thank you for this video. It helped my anxiety.”
