How HMPV Brings Back Pandemic Anxiety—and What We Can Learn

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught the world a difficult lesson: that health crises affect the mind, not just the body. Now, with alarming increases in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections particularly in China, many people again face the reality of anxiety and uncertainty. The reminders of crowded hospitals, the upsurge in respiratory diseases, and everything else experienced during the early days of COVID-19 come flooding back to their minds, bringing with them emotional and mental health challenges.  

But this time we can do better. Armed with the lessons learned with dew from the pandemic, we have the tools to address the physical and accompanying mental health issues raised by HMPV before it can take. Many of these tools can be used to address public concerns about the crisis that is looming in the awareness of what is associated with HMPV.  

What Is HMPV, and Why Is It Concerning Citizens? 

HMPV has existed since 2001 as a common respiratory infection-causing virus. In most cases, symptoms are similar to those of a typical cold. They include a cough plus fever and nasal obstruction, sometimes together with shortness of breath. More often than not, the virus resolves itself without complications. Children, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems can face severe health complications due to HMPV.

Age groups that are mostly affected include young children and the aged. Although HMPV has been around, the number of cases reported worldwide today has raised many eyebrows. In some parts of China, hospitals have been swamped, making it so scary to hear more about a second global health emergency outbreak. For many, the emotional toll of these reports is as significant as the physical risk. Memories of the COVID-19 lockdowns, health anxieties, and the social isolation that accompanied the pandemic come rushing back.  

The Mental Health Impact of Health Crises

The COVID-19 pandemic was not merely about health, but it was also a psychological health crisis. During the first year of the pandemic, there was an increase of 25 per cent in anxiety and depression on a global scale according to the World Health Organization. Being worried about self-safety, handling financial instability, and confinement from family and friends are some of the things experienced by many people because of lockdowns.

There’s still an aftertaste of such a time. When something new, like HMPV, comes on the scene, it doesn’t just stir fresh fears; it opens up the past wounds. Some common mental health challenges that emerge during health crises include:  

• Grief: Losing loved ones or missing out on important life events.  
• Health Anxiety: Constant worry about getting sick or the health of loved ones.  
• Uncertainty Stress: Fear of the unknown, fueled by a lack of clear information.  
• Loneliness: Social distancing and quarantines can create feelings of isolation.  
• Burnout: For healthcare workers and caregivers, prolonged crises lead to physical and emotional exhaustion.  

Read More: Government issues alert for COVID-19 sub-variant, JN.1

How to Protect Your Mental Health in Uncertain Times

Fortunately, the world is more aware of the importance of mental health than it was at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are strategies to help you navigate the mental health challenges of health crises like HMPV.  

1. Get Informed, Not Overwhelmed

Facts are possessions, so being ignorant about them will only lead to fear. Know the reliable sources: the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Understand the risk of HMPV and precautions that can be taken without obsessing over the worst-case scenarios. Tip: Limit your news consumption to 30 minutes a day, and avoid checking updates right before bed.  

2. Create a Daily Routine

So, routines offer definite structures of stability, particularly when the time is uncertain. Simple habits can put a person into a framework-such as walking every morning or journaling every evening about which one is thankful. Example: Schedule time for work, exercise, relaxation, and connecting with loved ones.  

3. Stay Connected 

Social support is a powerful antidote to stress. Whether it’s a video call with a friend, joining a virtual support group, or participating in community events, can ease feelings of isolation.  

4. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation  

Using techniques like mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help alleviate stress and bring you back to the moment. Apps like Calm or Headspace can teach you how to do these techniques. Exercise to Try: The 4-7-8 breathing technique: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds, and repeat three times.  

5. Set Boundaries with News and Social Media

The constant barrage of updates can overwhelm your nervous system. It’s okay to step back and take breaks from the news or social media when it becomes too much.  

6. Engage in Physical Activity  

Exercise isn’t just good for your body—it’s a powerful stress reliever. Whether it’s a brisk walk, dancing in your living room, or a yoga session, movement releases endorphins and improves mood.  

7. Seek Professional Help  

If feelings of anxiety or depression persist, reach out to a mental health professional. Therapy, whether in-person or online, can provide valuable coping tools.  

Read More: Covid-19 Linked to New Schizophrenia Spectrum: Study

How Families Can Support One Another  

Families often serve as the first line of emotional support during crises. Here are some ways to strengthen family bonds and promote mental health:  

• Shared Activities: Play board games, cook meals together, or take family walks for bonding. 
• Open Communication:  Encourage everyone to speak openly about their fears and concerns without judgment, indeed. 
• Model Healthy Behavior: All children learn from adults. Show them how you manage tension; demonstrate self-care and serenity. 
• Encourage Breaks: Give all family members space for their minds to recharge especially caregivers who may feel overwhelmed. 

Read More: NIMHANS Director Signals Rising Mental Health Awareness in Post-COVID Era

The Role of Communities in Mental Health  

No one can navigate a crisis alone. Communities play a crucial role in supporting mental health during health emergencies.  

• Mental Health Resources: Advocating for accessibility of therapy and counselling services to one’s locality.
• Local Support Groups: Form or join groups where people will be able to share experiences and coping strategies.  
• Schools and Youth Programs: Support children and youth through mental health education in schools and counselling services. 
• Workplace Flexibility: Encourage employers to address prioritizing mental health through flexible working hours, mental health days, or employee assistance programs.  

What Policymakers Can Learn from COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in mental health care. Policymakers must address these gaps by:  

• Increasing funding for mental health programs.  
• Ensuring access to affordable therapy and medication.  
• Promoting public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma.  
• Training healthcare workers to recognize and address mental health challenges.  

What COVID-19 Taught Us About Resilience

For many, the pandemic became a real-time of personal growth. People learned to adjust to the shifting patterns in their family lives. Others learned what it was to be an offer of support to the more vulnerable member. Some found the coping mechanisms that they were unaware of. HMPV doesn’t tickle people the same way. It should, rather, be a reminder of the resilience we have built and how much more resilient we become under challenge together.

Conclusion

Health crises are cyclical, but what defines our action against them is the response to the crisis. Thus, by prioritizing mental health, supporting one another, and focusing on things we can control, we can respond with resilience to the vagaries of HMPV or any future health events. Let us not remember what we have learned from COVID-19. Let us choose compassion over fear, connection over isolation, and hope over despair. In times of uncertainty, our greatest strength is each other.