human metapneumovirus

noun

plural human metapneumoviruses

: a pneumovirus (Metapneumovirus hominis) that is related to the respiratory syncytial virus and causes respiratory infections typically characterized by cough, runny nose, fever, and nasal congestion but sometimes progressing to bronchiolitis and pneumonia

The exact prevalence of human metapneumovirus isn't known, but Yale University researchers recently found it in 6.4 percent of retested lab samples from 296 children with respiratory symptoms …

—Lindsey Tanner

Note: After being initially isolated from children in the Netherlands in 2001, human metapneumovirus was identified in blood specimens dating back to 1958. It is now recognized as a causative agent of respiratory infections worldwide.

—abbreviation hMPV

Examples of human metapneumovirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Amber Berry says her son, Connor, has been struggling with a serious bedsore while battling human metapneumovirus in the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's intensive care unit. —Monique John, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

The virus without a vaccine: Cases of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, are hitting certain states. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 6 Mar. 2026

Unlike other viruses, there isn’t a vaccine for human metapneumovirus. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026

The agency advises people with human metapneumovirus to drink plenty of liquids, stay home and rest. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Among these viruses is the human metapneumovirus, often called HMPV. —Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 13 Jan. 2025

An outbreak of a highly contagious virus in China has health officials on alert. Cases of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, which can lead to respiratory disease, are reportedly spiking in northern China, the country's health officials have said. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, jumped throughout the country during the late winter and spring. —Kellie Hwang, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for human metapneumovirus

• adenovirus
• baculovirus
• coronavirus
• enterovirus
• poliovirus
• antivirus
• herpesvirus
• parvovirus
• reovirus
• retrovirus
• rhinovirus
• rotavirus

Medical Definition

human metapneumovirus

noun

: a pneumovirus (Metapneumovirus hominis) that is related to the respiratory syncytial virus and causes respiratory infections typically characterized by cough, rhinorrhea, fever, and nasal congestion but sometimes progressing to bronchiolitis and pneumonia

Human metapneumovirus may be underreported as a pathogen in bronchiolitis and may lead to admittance to intensive care, especially when it infects infants in combination with human respiratory syncytial virus, reported Malcolm G. Semple, M.D., of the University of Liverpool (England), and his associates.

—Jeff Evan, Family Practice News

Note: After being initially isolated from children in the Netherlands in 2001, human metapneumovirus was identified in blood specimens dating back to 1958. It is now recognized as a causative agent of respiratory infections worldwide.

—abbreviation hMPV