How to cut risk of Middle East respiratory syndrome
Published 4:37 pm, Tuesday, June 17, 2014
A respiratory condition known as Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, has found its way to the Western world.
This respiratory illness was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Since then, more than 700 cases have been confirmed and 249 deaths have been reported, according to the latest report from the World Health Organization.
People who have been diagnosed with it have ranged in age from 9 months to 94 years, according to the most recent available reporting. Most reported cases, 65.9 percent of them, occurred in men. The two confirmed cases of MERS in the United States were reported in health care workers who had traveled from Saudi Arabia. A third U.S. case involved a patient who reportedly had contact with the first case, but has remained asymptomatic so far.
The cause of MERS has been identified as a coronavirus, a type of virus that was also behind severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. That outbreak started in Southern China in late 2002 and caused 800 deaths and 8,000 cases in 29 countries.
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MERS is spread by person-to-person contact, such as between a patient and a caregiver. People infected with MERS may come down with a fever and chills, a cough and sore throat, shortness of breath, a headache, muscle pain and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
MERS is diagnosed by detecting the unique gene structure of the virus using a technique known as polymerase chain reaction. Another test confirms exposure by detecting the antibody to the virus in a suspected patient's serum.
No specific treatment or vaccination to MERS is available, but here are a few tips to reduce the risk of exposure:
-- Make a habit of washing hands frequently with soap and water. Alternatively, you may use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
-- Avoid close contact whenever possible with anyone thought to be exposed.
-- If you can't avoid contact, wear a mask. Gloves are also advised and should be worn after washing hands with soap and water.
-- Monitor your health for signs of the illness. Contact a physician if you show symptoms.
-- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
-- Contact your doctor if symptoms of what you believe is a common cold linger more than three to five days.
-- Follow your doctor's advice. If MERS has been confirmed, your doctor may advise you to be admitted to a hospital for monitoring and medical management.
Dr. Massoud Mahmoudi is board certified in internal medicine and allergy and immunology. He is in private practice in Los Gatos and Los Altos. He is also an associate clinical professor of medicine at UCSF and author and editor of seven books on allergies and various topics in medicine.