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Our
pages are created to provide medically accurate information that is
intended
to complement, not replace or substitute in any way the services of
your
physician.
Any
application of the recommendations set forth in the following pages is
at the reader's discretion and sole risk. Before undergoing medical
treatment,
you should consult with your doctor, who can best assess your
individual
needs, symptoms and treatment. |
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SARS (Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
SARS stands
for Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome and it is a viral respiratory illness (a severe
form
of pneumonia, accompanied by a fever) caused by a coronavirus, called
SARS
virus. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome was first reported in Asia in
February 2003. Over the next few months, the illness spread to more
than
two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia
before
the SARS global outbreak of 2003 was contained.
A small
number of people
with SARS can become severely ill. It is believed the illness is spread
from coughing and sneezing or from direct face-to-face contact with a
person
who has SARS. Race or ethnic background are not factors in the
development
or spread of SARS.
SARS
VIRUS - On April
16 2003, following the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome in
Asia and secondary cases elsewhere in the world, the World Health
Organization
issued a press release stating that the corona virus identified by a
number
of laboratories was the official cause of SARS. The virus was
officially
named the SARS virus
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The
symptoms of SARS usually
begin within ten days after direct contact with a SARS patient. They
include
a fever of more than 38° celsius or 100.4° fahrenheit and any
of
the following:
- Muscle
aches and pains
- Severe
fatigue
- Dry
cough
- A
severe
headache
- Shortness
of breath
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| FIND
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SARS: |
| Latest
Updates on SARS from the World Health Organization |
| SARS
General Information |
| Special
Online Collection: The SARS Epidemic |
| CDC
Info on SARS |
| SARS-associated
Coronavirus |
| McGill
University SARS Resources |
| Health
Canada - Information About SARS |
| Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Update |
| SARS
Fact Sheet |
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