Keywords
respiratory tract infections
adult
ambulatory care
COVID-19
Abstract
Introduction: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an RNA virus, which is the cause of acute respiratory infection (ARI) mainly in children under 5 years of age. Its diagnosis is made by molecular detection by RT-PCR and its treatment is mainly symptomatic. It can present in adults with comorbidities or immunosuppression. In Colombia, no cases have been reported in people over 31 years of age.
Presentation of the case: a 52-year-old male patient, treated at a primary care institution in Medellín, without comorbidities, who presents symptoms of ARI, with positive RT-PCR for hMPV. He presented clinical remission with symptomatic management, without evidence of complication.
Conclusion: hMPV can cause respiratory infections in adults, even in immunocompetent patients without comorbidities. It is important to consider other etiological agents of acute respiratory infections, even in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is necessary to strengthen the epidemiological surveillance of the less frequent respiratory viral agents.
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