Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
[[Middle east respiratory syndrome]] ([[MERS]]) is a [[viral]] [[respiratory illness]]. [[MERS]] is caused by a [[coronavirus]] called “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” (MERS-CoV). MERS-CoV is a beta coronavirus. It was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. MERS-CoV used to be called “novel coronavirus,” or “nCoV”. It is different from other coronaviruses that have been found in people before. | [[Middle east respiratory syndrome]] ([[MERS]]) is a [[viral]] [[respiratory illness]]. [[MERS]] is caused by a [[coronavirus]] called “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” ([[MERS-CoV]]). [[MERS-CoV]] is a beta [[coronavirus]]. It was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. [[MERS-CoV]] used to be called “novel coronavirus,” or “nCoV”. It is different from other [[coronaviruses]] that have been found in people before. | ||
==What are the Symptoms of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection?== | ==What are the Symptoms of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection?== | ||
Most people who got infected with MERS-CoV developed severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of [[fever]], [[cough]], and [[shortness of breath]]. Some people were reported as initially having a mild respiratory illness. | Most people who got [[infected]] with [[MERS-CoV]] developed severe acute [[respiratory illness]] with [[symptoms]] of [[fever]], [[cough]], and [[shortness of breath]]. Some people were reported as initially having a mild [[respiratory illness]]. | ||
==What Causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection?== | ==What Causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection?== | ||
* MERS is caused by a coronavirus called “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” (MERS-CoV). | * [[MERS]] is caused by a [[coronavirus]] called “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” ([[MERS-CoV]]). | ||
* MERS-CoV has been shown to spread between people who are in close contact. Transmission from infected patients to healthcare personnel has also been observed. Clusters of cases in several countries are being investigated. | * [[MERS-CoV]] has been shown to spread between people who are in close contact. [[Transmission]] from [[infected]] patients to healthcare personnel has also been observed. Clusters of cases in several countries are being investigated. | ||
* We don’t know for certain where the virus came from. However, it likely came from an animal source. In addition to humans, MERS-CoV has been found in camels in Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and a bat in Saudi Arabia. Camels in a few other countries have also tested positive for antibodies to MERS-CoV, indicating they were previously infected with MERS-CoV or a closely related [[virus]]. However, we don’t know whether camels are the source of the virus. More information is needed to identify the possible role that camels, bats, and other animals may play in the transmission of MERS-CoV. | * We don’t know for certain where the [[virus]] came from. However, it likely came from an animal source. In addition to [[humans]], [[MERS-CoV]] has been found in camels in Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and a bat in Saudi Arabia. Camels in a few other countries have also tested positive for [[antibodies]] to [[MERS-CoV]], indicating they were previously infected with [[MERS-CoV]] or a closely related [[virus]]. However, we don’t know whether camels are the source of the [[virus]]. More information is needed to identify the possible role that camels, bats, and other animals may play in the [[transmission]] of [[MERS-CoV]]. | ||
==When to Seek Urgent Medical Care== | ==When to Seek Urgent Medical Care== | ||
If you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as [[cough]] or [[shortness of breath]], within 14 days after traveling from countries in the Arabian Peninsula or neighboring countries, you should see your healthcare provider and mention your recent travel. | If you develop a [[fever]] and [[symptoms]] of [[respiratory illness]], such as [[cough]] or [[shortness of breath]], within 14 days after traveling from countries in the Arabian Peninsula or neighboring countries, you should see your healthcare provider and mention your recent travel. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Lab tests ([[polymerase chain reaction]] or PCR) for MERS-CoV are available at state health departments, CDC, and some international labs. Otherwise, MERS-CoV tests are not routinely available. There are a limited number of commercial tests available, but these are not FDA-approved. | Lab tests ([[polymerase chain reaction]] or [[PCR]]) for [[MERS-CoV]] are available at state health departments, [[CDC]], and some international labs. Otherwise, [[MERS-CoV]] tests are not routinely available. There are a limited number of commercial tests available, but these are not [[FDA]]-approved. | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
There are no specific treatments recommended for illnesses caused by MERS-CoV. Medical care is supportive and to help relieve symptoms. | There are no specific treatments recommended for illnesses caused by [[MERS-CoV]]. Medical care is supportive and to help relieve [[symptoms]]. | ||
==What to Expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to Expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
Approximately 30% of patients infected with [[MERS-CoV]] died. | Approximately 30% of patients [[infected]] with [[MERS-CoV]] died. | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
Revision as of 21:33, 20 June 2014
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
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Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus |
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Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus On the Web |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rim Halaby, M.D. [2]
Overview
Middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness. MERS is caused by a coronavirus called “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” (MERS-CoV). MERS-CoV is a beta coronavirus. It was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. MERS-CoV used to be called “novel coronavirus,” or “nCoV”. It is different from other coronaviruses that have been found in people before.
Most people who got infected with MERS-CoV developed severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Some people were reported as initially having a mild respiratory illness.
- MERS is caused by a coronavirus called “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” (MERS-CoV).
- MERS-CoV has been shown to spread between people who are in close contact. Transmission from infected patients to healthcare personnel has also been observed. Clusters of cases in several countries are being investigated.
- We don’t know for certain where the virus came from. However, it likely came from an animal source. In addition to humans, MERS-CoV has been found in camels in Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and a bat in Saudi Arabia. Camels in a few other countries have also tested positive for antibodies to MERS-CoV, indicating they were previously infected with MERS-CoV or a closely related virus. However, we don’t know whether camels are the source of the virus. More information is needed to identify the possible role that camels, bats, and other animals may play in the transmission of MERS-CoV.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Care
If you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after traveling from countries in the Arabian Peninsula or neighboring countries, you should see your healthcare provider and mention your recent travel.
Diagnosis
Lab tests (polymerase chain reaction or PCR) for MERS-CoV are available at state health departments, CDC, and some international labs. Otherwise, MERS-CoV tests are not routinely available. There are a limited number of commercial tests available, but these are not FDA-approved.
Treatment
There are no specific treatments recommended for illnesses caused by MERS-CoV. Medical care is supportive and to help relieve symptoms.
What to Expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Approximately 30% of patients infected with MERS-CoV died.
Sources
http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/faq.html