Infections with the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) may range from mild to severe. A number of factors may increase the likelihood that a patient may experience a severe infection.
Many clinical laboratories do not routinely test for HMPV, so the prevelance is often underestimated.
Risk factors for severe disease:
(1) extremes of age (infants or children; older adults > 65 years of age)
(2) immunocompromised status, including HIV disease and organ transplantation
