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 corona virus, called SARS virus (SARS-CoV).

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.

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. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared severe acute respiratory syndrome contained on 9 July 2003, but four more SARS cases were reported in China between December 2003 and January 2004. No cases of SARS have been reported worldwide since 2004.

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.

SARS Symptoms

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
Lethargy
Dry cough
A severe headache
Shortness of breath and/or pneumonia

Prevention & Treatment

Since there is no vaccine or medication for SARS, the isolation and quarantine remain the most effective means to prevent the spread of SARS.

Other preventative measures include:

Handwashing
Wearing a mask
Avoiding contact with bodily fluids (wearing glowes and isolation gowns)
Disinfection of surfaces
Isolation of people who are infected (like keeping people with symptoms home from work or school)
Washing the personal items in hot, soapy water (bedding, towels, dishes, eating utensils, etc.)
Practicing other simple hygienic measures

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