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What is Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus? — Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, also called MERS-CoV, is a virus that infects humans as well as some animals. Infection with the virus can cause fever, cough, and trouble breathing. Problems with breathing happen when the infection affects the lungs and causes pneumonia (figure 1). Some people infected with MERS-CoV have also developed kidney problems or other problems. Some have died.
The infection has occurred in various parts of the Middle East. Most of the cases have occurred in Saudi Arabia.
The cases that occurred outside the Middle East were in people who got infected while living in or visiting the Middle East. In a few rare cases, people outside the Middle East were infected by people who had been in the Middle East.
The first known cases in people occurred in 2012. There have been several different outbreaks since then.
Camels can be infected with MERS-CoV, and scientists suspect that they might be involved in spreading the virus to humans. The virus also seems to be able to spread from human to human. Bats can also be infected with MERS-CoV, but it is unlikely that they directly spread the virus to humans. This is because bats do not usually come into contact with humans.
What are the symptoms of MERS-CoV? — The symptoms can include:
●Fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C)
●Chills or shivering
●Cough (sometimes coughing up blood)
●Trouble breathing
●Sore throat
●Muscle aches
●Diarrhea
●Vomiting
●Belly pain
Should I see a doctor or nurse? — If you have a fever with cough or trouble breathing and live in or visited the Middle East in the 14 days before you got sick, see your doctor or nurse. If you have a face mask, put it on before you arrive at the clinic or hospital. If you do not have a face mask, call ahead to make sure they will be ready for you. That way the staff can keep you from spreading the virus to other people.
If you are severely ill, go to the clinic or hospital right away. If you have not called ahead, let the staff know as soon as you arrive that you might have MERS-CoV. The staff will ask you to wear a mask or to wait somewhere away from other people.
Your doctor or nurse will do an exam and ask about your symptoms. They will also ask questions about where you live, and whether you have had contact with people who might be sick or with animals (especially camels).
Will I need tests? — Yes. If your doctor or nurse suspects you have MERS-CoV, you will probably have an X-ray of your chest. You might also have blood tests or a test done on a sample of fluid taken from deep inside your nose or lungs.
How is MERS-CoV treated? — If you have MERS-CoV, you might need to be treated in the hospital, possibly in the intensive care unit (also called the "ICU"). There is no specific treatment for the infection, but the doctors and nurses in the hospital can monitor and support your breathing and other body functions, and make you as comfortable as possible.
You might need extra oxygen to help you breathe easily. If you are having a very hard time breathing, you might need to be put on a ventilator. This is a machine to help you breathe.
Can MERS-CoV be prevented? — You can reduce your chances of getting MERS-CoV by staying away from animals, especially camels. Do not drink camel milk that has not been boiled or treated. And do not eat food that could have animal fluids on it without washing, peeling, or boiling the food first.
If possible, try to stay away from people who have any of the symptoms of MERS-CoV. If you are staying in the same home with someone who has MERS-CoV, there are things you can to do protect yourself:
●Stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom if you can
●The sick person should wear a face mask when in the same room as other people. If the sick person cannot wear a mask, the other people in the home should wear a mask when they are in the same room with the sick person.
●If you will be in contact with the sick person's blood, mucus, or other body fluids, wear a disposable face mask, gown, and gloves. If any body fluids touch your skin, wash your hands with soap right away.
●Clean often, especially things that are touched a lot. This includes counters, bedside tables, doorknobs, computers, phones, and bathroom surfaces.
It is also important to wash your hands with soap and water often, especially if you are around animals or anyone who is sick. The table has instructions on how to wash your hands to prevent spreading illness (table 1).
More information about MERS-CoV can be found at the following websites:
●United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov
●World Health Organization (WHO): www.who.int
Patient education: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (The Basics)
Patient education: Pneumonia in adults (The Basics)
