Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

What is SARS?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV). It was first reported in 2002 and primarily affected Asia before spreading to other parts of the world. SARS is characterized by high fever, headache, and body aches, followed by cough and dyspnea (shortness of breath).

Symptoms

The symptoms of SARS typically begin within 2-7 days after exposure to the virus and may include:

• High fever (usually greater than 100.4°F or 38°C)
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
• Diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Rash

Transmission

SARS is primarily spread through close person-to-person contact, such as:

• Inhaling respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes
• Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes
• Having direct contact with an infected person's respiratory secretions, such as through kissing or sharing utensils

Treatments

There is no specific treatment for SARS, but symptoms can be managed with:

• Supportive care, such as rest, hydration, and nutrition
• Antipyretics (fever-reducing medications) and analgesics (pain-relieving medications)
• Oxygen therapy to help improve breathing
• Antiviral medications, such as oseltamivir or ribavirin, which may be effective in reducing the severity of symptoms
• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in the lungs

Prevention

To prevent the spread of SARS:

• Practice good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has a respiratory illness
• Avoid sharing utensils, glasses, or other personal items
• Cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• Wear a mask in public places if you are experiencing symptoms of SARS

Outbreaks and Epidemiology

The first reported outbreak of SARS occurred in Guangdong Province, China in November 2002. The disease spread rapidly to other parts of the world, with a total of 8,096 reported cases and 774 deaths worldwide between 2002 and 2004. Since then, there have been no reported cases of SARS.

Diagnosis

SARS is diagnosed based on a combination of clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, and epidemiological history. Laboratory tests may include:

• Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect the presence of SARS-CoV RNA in respiratory specimens
• Serology tests to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV in blood samples
• Chest radiographs or computed tomography (CT) scans to evaluate lung abnormalities