The MERS Mystery Continues to Yield

As an ENT, I am often on the front lines of the medical establishment’s fight against infectious respiratory diseases. This summer, the big story has been Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, a disease which has killed several dozen people throughout Asia.

Last week I reported on this story, which included some significant breakthroughs in our efforts to understand MERS. Now two new stories are making the rounds – this one, in which scientists believe they have isolated the vector that may have delivered MERS to human beings; and this one, covering some promising treatments which have been assessed on monkeys.

Both items are encouraging stories, and both will almost certainly aid international efforts to understand and contain the scourge of MERS. Until then – my advice stands, as always. Follow travel advisories, take care of yourself and always follow up with a qualified ENT if you are experienced ongoing or severe sinus symptoms.

Tags: ent, infectious disease, mers, respiratory symptoms, sinus surgery, studies