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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection Microchapters
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

The symptoms of the middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and gatsrointestinal symptoms.

History and Symptoms

Symptom	Percentage
Fever    Fever with chills or rigors	98%    87%
Cough    Dry    Productive	83%    47%    36%
Hemoptysis	17%
Shortnes of breath	72%
Chest Pain	15%
Sore throat	21%
Runny Nose	4%
Abdominal Pain	17%
Nausea	21%
Vomiting	21%
Diarrhoea	26%
Myalgia	32%
Headache	13%

Suspect MERS-CoV infection in case of:

• Fever (≥38°C, 100.4°F) and pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (based on clinical or radiological evidence);
  

AND EITHER

• History of travel from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula1 within 14 days before symptom onset;
  

OR

• Close contact2 with a symptomatic traveler who developed fever and acute respiratory illness (not necessarily pneumonia) within 14 days after traveling from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula;
  

OR

• Is a member of a cluster of patients with severe acute respiratory illness (e.g. fever and pneumonia requiring hospitalization) of unknown etiology in which MERS-CoV is being evaluated, in consultation with state and local health departments.

Symptoms

• Fever (98%)
• Cough (83%)
• Shortness of breath (72%)
• Gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Diarrhea (26%)
  • Vomiting (21%)

All but two patients (96%) had one or more chronic medical conditions, including diabetes (68%), hypertension (34%), heart disease (28%), and kidney disease (49%). Thirty-four (72%) had more than one chronic condition. In a retrospective study on 47 patients with MERS-CoV infection, 42 (89%) needed intensive care and 34 (72%) had mechanical ventilation.