SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS)
A severe acute respiratory syndrome is a contagious and potentially fatal respiratory disease, it is a serious form of pneumonia.
- It is a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms.
- SARS first appeared in China in November 2002 and the virus that causes SARS was first identified in 2003.
- An outbreak in 2003 caused an eventual 8,098 cases, an epidemic that killed approximately 774 people reported in 37 countries with most cases appearing in China before it was successfully contained.
- No new cases of SARS have been reported since 2004. This was achieved by strong levels of global cooperation that ensured that the threat of SARS was dealt with swiftly, and the spread of the disease was effectively contained.
CAUSES
Severe acute respiratory syndrome is caused by a strain of coronavirus. A coronavirus is a common form of virus that typically causes upper-respiratory tract illnesses, the same family of viruses that causes the common cold. The virus had not been particularly dangerous to humans, but they had been known to cause severe disease in animals.
For this reason, it was first believed that the SARS virus might have crossed from animals to humans, but now scientists believe that an animal virus changed into a new, more deadly strain.
SARS spreads through infected droplets that are sprayed into the air when someone with the disease coughs or sneezes.
The droplets can also be absorbed into the body through face-to-face contact with an infected person, this could be through hugging and kissing, sharing utensils for eating or drinking, touching someone directly, speaking to someone within a distance of 3 feet
The virus can also spread by hands or other objects such as telephones, doorknobs, elevator buttons that the droplets have touched. The SARS virus may live on hands, tissues and other surfaces for up to 6 hours and up to 3 hours after the droplets have dried.
The people with the highest risk of getting the infection are those who live with or are in close contact with someone who has the disease such as health workers.
SYMPTOMS
- Fever over 100.4 F
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Diarrhea
- Breathing problems such as shortness of breath
- A sore throat
- Loss of appetite
- Rash
- A dry cough
- Malaise
- A headache
- Confusion
SARS can lead to other serious health problems such as pneumonia, heart failure, and liver failure. People who are over 60 and have other illnesses like diabetes or hepatitis are most likely to have this problem.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
During the first outbreak, there were no laboratory tests to diagnose the disease. A diagnosis was made through symptoms and medical history.
Laboratory tests which include taking a nasal swab, a throat swab, or blood samples can be performed. A chest X-ray or CT scan may also reveal signs of pneumonia characteristics of SARS.
TREATMENTS
There is no cure or vaccine yet that is safe and effective in humans for treating the disorder
Antibiotics are ineffective as SARS is a viral disease, treatment, however, is largely supportive of supplemental oxygen, antipyretic, and mechanical ventilation as needed.
Isolation of people with SARS is required in negative pressure rooms, with precautions taken for any necessary contact with such patients.