Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection when Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (‎‎MERS-CoV)‎‎ infection is suspected: interim guidance

Overview

The first edition of this document was published in 2013 and was revised in 2015. The current version is aligned with other WHO documents on case definitions and laboratory testing for MERS and incorporates changes to recommendations in supportive care of patients with critical illness based on evidence published since the last update. This document is intended for clinicians taking care of hospitalised adult and paediatric patients with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) when MERS-CoV infection is suspected. It is not meant to replace clinical judgment or specialist consultation but rather to strengthen clinical management of these patients and provide references to up-to-date guidance. This document is organized into the following sections:

1. Early recognition of patients with SARI
2. Immediate implementation of appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures
3. Early supportive therapy and monitoring
4. Collection of specimens for laboratory diagnosis
5. Management of hypoxemic respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
6. Management of septic shock
7. Prevention of complications
8. Specific anti-MERS-CoV treatments
9. Special considerations for pregnant patients