Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
Overview
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is an infection spread from contact with infected camels. It's rare but can be very serious, so it's important to get urgent help if you think you might have it.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) are: a high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shiverya coughshortness of breath or difficulty breathing You may also have diarrhoea, feel or be sick, or get muscle aches and shivering (chills). Symptoms of MERS usually start 5 or 6 days after being infected, but you can get them any time from 2 to 14 days after.
Treatment
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) can be life-threatening and you will usually be treated in isolation in hospital if you have it. Treatment involves managing your symptoms, such as: medicine to help lower your temperature or ease any painhelp with breathing
Prevention
There's no vaccine available for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). There are things you can do to help lower your chances of catching MERS if you're travelling to an area where there's a risk of getting it. avoid contact with camels, including touching and riding them avoid contact with camels, including touching and riding them avoid places like farms, barns or market areas where there are camels avoid places like farms, barns or market areas where there are camels regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially before or after touching camels or visiting areas with them regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially before or after touching camels or visiting areas with them if you buy food that may have come into contact with camels, like at markets, only eat it if it's well cooked, or you have washed and peeled it yourself if you buy food that may have come into contact with camels, like at markets, only eat it if it's well cooked, or you have washed and peeled it yourself do not eat raw or undercooked camel meat do not eat raw or undercooked camel meat do not drink unpasteurised camel milk or eat products made with it, like yoghurt do not drink unpasteurised camel milk or eat products made with it, like yoghurt do not touch or go near sick animals do not touch or go near sick animals