The initial report was that SARS was mumps like and MRK makes the live MMR vaccine. Now the CDC states: "MODERATOR: We have a question from the line of Betsy McKay with Wall Street Journal... I was just wondering if you could update us on treatments that are being used in the U.S. for SARS patients. I understand that you have not issued specific treatment guidance but I'm just wondering if there are any changes in treatment that are being used around the country over the last few days and if there are any particular anti-viral medicines, or therapies that are being used that may seem promising? Thank you.
DR. GERBERDING: CDC is working with FDA and NIHD and USAMRIID and others to try to identify drugs that might have activity against this coronavirus, but as of today we have no leading candidates on the shelf, that we could recommend for clinical treatment.
The patients in the United States are being treated according to the guidance that we've issued to clinicians as well as standard management for pneumonia, and that does include treatment empirically for other causes of pneumonia, because at the initial presentation this disease could easily be confused with other common things for which we do have specific therapy.
So clinicians are advised to have a broad differential, to initiate antibiotics, if that seems appropriate under the clinical circumstances, and as they learn more, and more diagnostic testing is done, to stop those unnecessary treatments if, indeed, the condition does seem to be most consistent with SARS.
We have no evidence, unfortunately, right now, that any specific anti-viral therapy, or steroid treatment, or other agents that are targeting this virus, are of any benefit to patients. We hope we'll learn more as we go but that is the status of clinical care today."
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