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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

Community-onset infection	Hospital-onset infection
Fever	98%
Fever with chills or rigors	87%

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.