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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus(MERS-CoV)How to Say It: Mid-ul Est Res-pah-tur-e Sin-drom Cor-own-uh-vi-rus
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Amy Scholten, MPH DefinitionMiddle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a respiratory illness. It can be severe and fatal. CausesMERS is caused by a virus. The virus is spread through close contact with infected people.
Risk FactorsThings that raise the risk of MERS are:
SymptomsSome people with MERS have no symptoms. Others may have mild to severe symptoms. They may be:
DiagnosisThe doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. Tests may be done to diagnose the infection. They may include:
Chest x-rays, may be done to look for lung problems. TreatmentCurrently, there is no specific treatment for MERS. The goal is to ease symptoms and prevent problems. This may include breathing support in the hospital. PreventionThe risk of MERS or any virus may be reduced by:
RESOURCES:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov World Health Organization http://www.who.int CANADIAN RESOURCES:Health Canada https://www.canada.ca Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca References:Hui DS, Azhar EI, et al. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: risk factors and determinants of primary, household, and nosocomial transmission. Lancet Infect Dis. 2018;18(8):e217-e227. Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/about/index.html. Accessed April 6, 2021. Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/CORONAVIRUS/MERS/. Accessed April 6, 2021.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dynamed.com/condition/middle-east-respiratory-syndrome-coronavirus-mers-cov. Accessed April 6, 2021.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)—update. World Health Organization website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed April 6, 2021. Last reviewed December 2020 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP Last Updated: 4/6/2021 | |