SARS

What is SARS ?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a contagious illness caused by a coronavirus. It′s a disease that affects the lungs and airways, also called a respiratory illness. The coronavirus that causes SARS is called SARS-CoV-1. It first appeared in November 2002. Within a few months, the SARS-CoV-1 virus spread worldwide. It mainly passed from person to person. A global effort from health experts quickly stopped the spread of the disease. No cases of SARS have been reported anywhere in the world since 2004.

Symptoms

  • Fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
  • Chills
  • Muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Sometimes diarrhea
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sore throat
  • Pneumonia
  • Hypoxia

Cause

SARS is caused by SARS-CoV-1, a strain of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are the family of viruses that also cause the common cold. A different strain of coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2, causes COVID-19. Coronaviruses can cause serious disease in animals. That’s why scientists suspect that the SARS-CoV-1 virus might have started in animals and crossed to humans. It now seems likely that one or more animal viruses evolved into the new strain. Most viruses that cause respiratory illnesses, including SARS, spread when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. Tiny liquid particles from the nose or mouth enter the air. Healthy people nearby breathe in those particles. Most experts think the virus that causes SARS spreads mainly through close personal contact. For instance, a healthy person could get infected while taking care of someone who has SARS. The virus also can spread on objects such as doorknobs, telephones and elevator buttons. Touching an object that has the virus on it and then rubbing the nose, eyes or mouth could cause an infection.

Risk Factors

By and large, people at greatest risk of SARS are those who have had direct, close contact with someone who’s infected. This includes healthcare workers and family members living with someone who has SARS.

When to see a Doctor

SARS is a serious illness that can lead to death. If you have any symptoms of a respiratory infection, call a member of your healthcare team right away. Also, call your health professional if you have flu-like symptoms with a fever after you travel abroad.

Find Tests

References : 1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sars/symptoms-causes/syc-20351765 2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10856-severe-acute-respiratory-syndrome-sars#symptoms-and-causes 3. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/severe-acute-respiratory-syndrome-sars