Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection risk factors
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Risk Factors
Recent Travelers from the Arabian Peninsula
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 or near the Arabian Peninsula, you should call ahead to a healthcare provider and mention your recent travel. While sick, stay home from work or school and delay future travel to reduce the possibility of spreading illness to others. [1]
Close Contacts of an Ill Traveler from the Arabian Peninsula
If you have had close contact with someone who recently traveled from a country in or near the Arabian Peninsula, and the traveler has/had fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, you should monitor your health for 14 days, starting from the day you were last exposed to the ill person.
If you develop fever and symptoms of respiratory distress, such as cough or shortness of breath, you should call ahead to a healthcare provider and mention your recent contact with the traveler. While sick, stay home and delay future travels to reduce the possibility of transmission. [1]
Close Contacts of a Confirmed or Probable Case of MERS
If you have had close contact with someone who has a probable or confirmed MERS-CoV infection, you should contact a healthcare provider for an evaluation. Your healthcare provider may request laboratory testing and outline additional recommendations, depending on the findings of your evaluation and whether or not you have symptoms. You most likely will be asked to monitor your health for 14 days, starting from the day you were last exposed to the ill person. Watch for these symptoms:
- Fever (100° Fahrenheit or higher). Take your temperature twice a day.
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Other possible early symptoms include: chills, body aches, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting and runny nose.
In case of symptom development, the individual's healthcare provider should be immediately warned. Before the medical appointment, the individual should call the healthcare provider and in order to inform him or her about the possible exposure to MERS-CoV. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from being infected.[1]
Healthcare Personnel Not Using Recommended Infection-Control Precautions
Healthcare personnel should adhere to recommended infection control measures, including standard, contact, and airborne precautions, while managing symptomatic close contacts, patients under investigation, and patients who have probable or confirmed MERS-CoV infections. Recommended infection control precautions should also be utilized when collecting specimens.
Healthcare personnel who has had close contact with a confirmed or probable case of MERS while ill, if recommended infection control precautions have not been used (e.g. appropriate use of personal protective equipment), are at increased risk of developing MERS-CoV infection and should be evaluated and monitored by a healthcare professional with a higher index of suspicion. For more information, see Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Hospitalized Patients with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). [1]