Last reviewed: 12 Nov 2024
Last updated: 17 Aug 2020

This page compiles our content related to coronaviruses. For further information on diagnosis and treatment, follow the links below to our full BMJ Best Practice topics on the relevant conditions and symptoms.

Introduction

ConditionDescription

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

An acute respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It was first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019. Since then it has spread to many countries around the world, with the World Health Organization declaring it a pandemic.

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)

An acute viral respiratory tract infection caused by MERS-CoV. It was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.[1] Cases have been limited to the Arabian Peninsula and its surrounding countries, and to travelers from the Middle East or their contacts. The case fatality rate is approximately 37%.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

An acute viral respiratory tract infection caused by SARS-CoV. It was first identified in the Guangdong province of Southern China in 2002. The epidemic affected 26 countries and resulted in more than 8000 cases and 774 deaths in 2003. There have been no reported cases since 2004. The case fatality rate is approximately 10%.

Contributors

Authors

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BMJ Publishing Group

Disclosures

This overview has been compiled using the information in existing sub-topics.

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