Pneumoviridae

Pneumoviridae is a new virus family in the order Mononegavirales. It was created in 2016 by elevating the now dissolved paramyxoviral subfamily Pneumovirinae.^[1] Pneumoviruses produce enveloped virions (virus particles) that vary in size from 150 to 200 nm in diameter. The nucleocapsid consisting of a protein shell and viral nucleic acids has a helical symmetry.

Taxonomy

Table legend: "*" denotes type species.

Human metapneumovirus

Human metapneumovirus was first classified as a pneumovirus in 2001. Human metapnuemovirus (HMPV) is a negative single-stranded RNA virus that is the second most common cause of lower respiratory infection in young children. Pneumovirus is intermediate in size between other Paramyxoviridae and the Orthomyxoviridae. Cytoplasmic inclusions are considerably more dense than those of other viruses in the family. Human metapneumovirus is very similar to your common cold; it is an upper respiratory infection. It will typically occur in the winter and early spring. This specific infection is most common in children, especially under the age of five. Common symptoms include runny nose, congestion, sore throat, cough, headache, and fever, which can be seem in a cold. It will typically go away after a few days. If this is seen in people over 75 then there is a cause for concern as it can turn to pneumonia.^{[3][4][5][6][7]}

References