MERS-CoV: What People Should Know about It

Photo credit: cdc.gov

People today face much greater challenge in maintaining good health compared to their counterparts a few decades back. This is for a fact that new strains of diseases continue to exist while other known ailments remain incurable. Further, some viruses are believed to have evolved into something worse, which affect the human body and ruin it within a short span of time. Thus, it is important that people be aware of these illnesses and learn how to prevent or treat them.

One of the new threats to human health is the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (or MERS-CoV), a viral illness that originated in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

Know More about It

As of today, the cause of MERS-CoV has yet to be discovered. Some research suggest that it may have come from bats and was transferred to humans. But one thing is for sure: this virus is deadly. In fact, one-third of the total number of patients who fell ill due to MERS-CoV died.

Below are some interesting facts about this viral illness and some helpful information to educate and guide people:

• Symptoms

Many of the symptoms of MERS-CoV are so common that they are often mistaken for some other mild and common ailments. People who acquired the disease developed severe acute respiratory illness, which included cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

• Who Are at Risk?

According to health experts, people who may be at increased risk of developing MERS-CoV include (1) travelers who go to and have gone from the Arabian Peninsula; (2) healthcare staff who do not use safety gear while taking care of the infected patient; (3) people who have close contact with either confirmed case of MERS or ill traveler from the infected region; and (4) people who are exposed to camels.

• Treatment

If you feel you or someone shows the symptoms of MERS-CoV or is suspected of having it, do not self-medicate at home. While there is no known vaccine to cure the infection, it is still better to seek medical care.

• Recent Data

After the first case was reported a few years ago, the virus has since spread to some other countries in different continents. It has reached Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Iran, Turkey, France, Greece, Egypt, UK, the Philippines, and US, among others. Cases outside the Arabian Peninsula are reported by those who recently traveled there.

• Prevention Tips

Anyone can reduce the risk of acquiring the infection by doing good health routines and hygiene practices.

Let us all unite to fight all kinds of virus to stay healthy.