SARS ( Severe acute respiratory syndrome

Introduction - SARS appeared in 2002 in China. It spread worldwide within a few months,
although it was quickly contained.

Definition - An infectious disease with symptoms including fever and cough an in some cases
progressing to pneumonia and respiratory failure if is caused by a coranavirus.

(or)

The SARS coronavirus ( SARS - Cover) causes SARS. A coronavirus is a common from of a virus
that typically causes upper - respiratory tract illness. The common cold results from a kind of
coronavirus.

Causes -

 Hugging and kissing.

 Touching someone directly.
 Speaking to someone within a distance of 3 feet.
 Sharing utensils for eating and drinking.
 Door handles.
 Door bells.
 Telephones.
 Sneezing, coughing.
 The respiratory droplets are probably absorbed into the body through the mucus
membranes of the mouth, nose, and eyes.

Symptoms -

Symptoms normally appear within 3 to 5 days after exposure to the SARS virus, but they can
develop after 2 to 7 days.

 Most cases of SARS begin with a high fever.

 Flu
 Body aches
 Chills
 Diarrhea
 Dry coughing
 Shortness of breath
 These will develop over the course of a week.

Diagnosis -
The WHO advises that to be diagnosed with SARS, a person must have all of the following..

 A fever of at least 100.4'f Or 38.C

 One or more symptoms of lower respiratory tract illness a cough, difficulty in breathing,
shortness of breath.
 Radiographic evidence to suggest a
diagnosis of pneumonia.
 No alternative diagnosis
to fully explain the illness.

Tests -

Reverse transcription -
polymerase chain reaction ( RT - PCR ) -
testing can detect the virus in blood,
stool and nasel secretions.

Serologic -

Testing can detect SARS - COV antibodies

in the blood. If a person has antibodies,
they are also likely to have the infection.

Complications -

 Respiratory failure
 Other possible complications
include heart and liver failure.
 People older than 60
especially those with underlying
conditions such as
diabetes or hepatitis are at the
highest risk of serious complications.

Ttreatment -

 The WHO recommends isolating patients and using barrier techniques to prepare the
spread of the virus, including filter masks and goggles.
 Quarantine.

Prevention -
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