Virtual Medical Centre

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

• What is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome?
• Who gets Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome?
• Predisposing Factors
• Progression
• Probable Outcomes
• How is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Diagnosed?
• How is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome treated?
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome References
• Drugs/Products Associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

What is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome?

The lungs - the severe acute respiratory syndrome is caused by an infection with the SARS virus. It is a relatively new disease, being first described in the Guangdong Province of China in November 2002.

Who gets Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome?

The first cases of this highly infectious condition was first described in February 2003, which over a period of three months affected 8,000 people worldwide.

In June 2003, The total number of cases reported in the United States was 372, without any deaths from the condition in this country.

Predisposing Factors

The most important risk factor for SARS is contact with a person suffering from SARS infection. Recent travel to countries where the SARS infection is known to exist is a primary risk factor for the SARS infection.

Progression

The SARS virus infection remains within the body fo 2-10 days before causing any symptoms. The first symptom usually encountered is a high fever, that may be associated with shivers and chills. The infected patient may also develop diarrhoea in 25% of cases.

The patient will develop a dry cough some 2-4 days after the onset of fever, which may progress over days to cause shortness of breath. This may be severe enough to warrant the insertion of a breathing tube the use of mechanical breathing for the patient.
The condition will usually become better, then worsen once more, before resolution of this infection. As the condition causes significant respiratory compromise, patients may not survive the active phase of this condition.