Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that may not be on most folk’s radars, but it’s more common than you think — and chances are, you’ve already had it. A recent “outbreak” in northern China has brought HMPV into the spotlight, raising questions about its significance.

You may have heard recent news reports about a surge in cases of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in China. But Dr. Matthew Binnicker, director of the Clinical Virology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic,

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a common respiratory disease among children and the elderly. Here's what we know about the symptoms and how to avoid it.

For those who test positive, symptoms are similar to that of a cold or flu, and include a runny nose, a cough, shortness of breath, a sore throat or, in some cases, a fever. In more serious cases, HMPV can cause pneumonia or exacerbate problems that people living with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience.