Santo Domingo.-The human metapneumovirus or hMPV, which has recently generated an outbreak of respiratory infections in China, has been present in the Dominican territory for years, but cases of this condition are rare.
This was explained to EL DÍA, the president of the Dominican Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery, Alfredo Matos Hoepelman, who clarified that this virus has existed for 20 years and that it should not be a cause of concern for the population.
However, he indicated that the number of infections reported could be higher if the respiratory panels that determine which virus is affecting the patient were sent for regular testing, but these are limited by the cost of this type of analysis.
“Not all patients who come to pulmonology consultations have the financial capacity to undergo a test that costs between $10,000 and $15,000 pesos, so sometimes the diagnosis could be lower than what one thinks,” Matos said.
The pulmonologist highlighted that institutions that usually perform this type of procedures, such as the Centers for Advanced Medicine and Medical Conferences and Telemedicine (Cedimat), have had patients with metapneumovirus, but the circulation of the respiratory syncytial virus and the influenza.
He stressed that “it is nothing that we have to worry about, what we have to always maintain are preventive measures in the event of any respiratory situation,” while saying that as temperatures increase, cases of this type of virus are expected. decrease. Symptoms include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and nasal congestion.
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— About viruses
Metapneumovirus is a respiratory virus that circulates from winter to spring in many countries, affecting the upper respiratory tract with mild symptoms similar to the common cold.
