Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a life-threatening viral infection caused by the SARS-associated coronavirus. An outbreak occurred in 2002-2003 that began in southern China and led to over 8,000 cases worldwide and 774 deaths according to the WHO. SARS spreads through close contact with infected individuals or surfaces and can cause respiratory symptoms such as cough and fever. While there is no vaccine, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and assisting breathing. Maintaining hygiene and isolating suspected cases are important preventative measures.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a life-threatening viral infection caused by the SARS-associated coronavirus. An outbreak occurred in 2002-2003 that began in southern China and led to over 8,000 cases worldwide and 774 deaths according to the WHO. SARS spreads through close contact with infected individuals or surfaces and can cause respiratory symptoms such as cough and fever. While there is no vaccine, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and assisting breathing. Maintaining hygiene and isolating suspected cases are important preventative measures.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a life-threatening viral infection caused by the SARS-associated coronavirus. An outbreak occurred in 2002-2003 that began in southern China and led to over 8,000 cases worldwide and 774 deaths according to the WHO. SARS spreads through close contact with infected individuals or surfaces and can cause respiratory symptoms such as cough and fever. While there is no vaccine, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and assisting breathing. Maintaining hygiene and isolating suspected cases are important preventative measures.
Syndrome (SARS) is a serious, potentially life-threatening viral infection caused by a previously unrecognized virus from the Coronaviridae family, the SARS- associated coronavirus (SARS- CoV). * *2002-2003 - outbreak of SARS *Began in southern China *According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 8,098 people worldwide became sick with SARS (2003 outbreak). *Of these, 774 died *In the United States, only eight people had laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV infection. *People who were infected had travelled to other parts of the world with SARS. *Corononavirus (CoV) - the probable causal agent of SARS. *Coronaviruses (CoVs) are found in a wide range of animal species, including in cats, dogs, pigs, rabbits, cattle, mice, rats, chickens, pheasants, turkeys, and whales, as well as in humans. *SARS-CoV is an enveloped, positive-strand, RNA virus in the Coronaviridae family. * * The main way that SARS seems to spread is by close person- to-person contact.
*SARS is an airborne virus, it is spread in a similar way to flu and the common cold. *Also spread in small droplets of saliva coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person. *SARS can also be spread indirectly if an infected person touches surfaces, such as door handles, with unwashed hands. *The SARS virus may also be spread through an infected persons feces (stools).
The portal of entry of SARS appears to be direct in mucous membrane: *Eye *Nose *Mouth
* * *The incubation period for SARS-CoV is from 2 10 days, sometimes lasting up to 13 days, with a mean of 5 days. *So symptoms usually develop between 210 days following infection by the virus. The hallmark symptoms are: *Cough *Difficulty breathing *Fever greater than 100.4 degrees F (38.0 degrees C) *Other breathing symptoms
* * The most common symptoms are: *Chills and shaking *Cough -- usually starts 2-3 days after other symptoms *Fever *Headache *Muscle aches
* Less common symptoms include: *Cough that produces phlegm (sputum) *Diarrhoea *Dizziness *Nausea and vomiting *Runny nose *Sore throat
In some people, the lung symptoms get worse during the second week of illness, even after the fever has stopped.
* *Treatment of SARS is largely supportive with antipyretics, supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation as needed. *As of 2013, there is no cure or protective vaccine for SARS that is safe for use in humans. *Suspected cases of SARS must be isolated (in negative pressure room, with complete barrier nursing precautions. *Some of the more serious damage in SARS may be due to the body's own immune system reacting in what is known as cytokine storm. * Treatment is mainly supportive and may include: *assisting with breathing using a ventilator to deliver oxygen *antibiotics to treat bacteria that cause pneumonia *antiviral medications *high doses of steroids to reduce swelling in the lungs
* SARS can result in serious illness and medical complications that require hospitalization, intensive care treatment, and mechanical ventilation. The most recent numbers indicate that the death rate from SARS is higher than that of influenza or other common respiratory tract infections. Complications include altered lung function, polyneuropathy, pulmonary fibrosis and avascular necrosis. * *Under some situations, people are recommended to wear a mask. *Maintain good personal hygiene *Maintain a healthy lifestyle - a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate rest. Do not smoke. *Maintain good environmental hygiene