Comments
INITIAL SYMPTOMS:
Myalgia, fever, cough, dyspnea, lung infiltrates, and ARDS; [CCDM]
"Non-SARS coronavirus infections are commonly associated with acute respiratory illnesses that are usually mild and consistent with the common cold but can also result in the full range of acute respiratory illnesses including pneumonia, croup, bronchiolitis, and bronchitis." [Cecil, p. 2103]
SARS:
This new disease was first reported by the Chinese Ministry of Health to the World Health Organization on February 11, 2003. By July of 2003, 8098 cases in 29 countries with 774 deaths had been reported. This previously unrecognized coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV) is transmitted to healthcare workers and household contacts. Approximately 10-20% of patients develop respiratory failure requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. The case fatality proportion is 9.2%. Patients develop either: 1) none to a few mild symptoms; 2) moderate illness; or 3) severe disease. In severe cases, the chest x-ray may show atypical pneumonia, and blood analysis may show decreased lymphocytes and platelets. "By late July 2003, no new cases were being reported, and WHO declared the global outbreak to be over." [CDC website] Civets and other wildlife were thought to be reservoirs of SARS. [CCDM, p. 541] The initial symptoms in SARS were fever, usually with headache and myalgia. Nonproductive cough followed several days later. Diarrhea occurred in 25% of patients, and rhinorrhea and sore throat usually did not occur. [PPID, p. 1934 Less common symptoms are sputum production, pharyngitis, rhinitis, vomiting, and diarrhea. Petechiae, orchitis, and seizures may occur. Typically, the fever pattern is biphasic. Usually absent on the chest x-ray are cavitations, hilar lymphadenopathy, and pleural effusions. [Guerrant, p. 394-5] The horseshoe bat appears to be the reservoir, and the outbreak may have been started by contact with palm civets (semi-domesticated animals). [Harrison ID, p. 826] "To reduce the risk of introducing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus, civets and related animals (family Viverridae) may not be imported into the United States." [CDC Travel, p. 531]
MERS:
MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus virus) is a new strain of coronavirus. Information is still incomplete on how it is spread, the range of illness, and the source. As of June 2013 there have been over than 60 cases detected--the majority of these in Saudi Arabia. Most cases present with fever and cough that progress to a severe pneumonia with a 50% mortality rate. Renal disease and diarrhea have been a feature of some cases. "Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was caused by virus from the same family of coronaviruses as MERS-CoV but a different unconnected subtype." [Public Health England website] "By June 11, 2014, 699 laboratory confirmed cases, including at least 209 deaths had been officially reported to WHO." [CCDM, p. 546] ". . . Health care providers should evaluate patients for MERS if they develop fever and pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome within 14 days after traveling from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula or have had close contact with a recent traveler from this area who has fever and acute respiratory illness." [CDC Travel, p. 267]
For updated text and symptoms of infectious diseases, see iddx.com.