A serious respiratory illness, or SARS, was an infectious and potentially dangerous respiratory disease. Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during the years 2002 to 2003, but the disease does not spread.
SARS was the result of a coronavirus infection that scientists called the SARS-co-infected coronavirus (SARS-CoV). SARS-CoV is related to SARS-CoV-2, a virus that causes COVID-19 infection.
While COVID-19 is currently affecting people worldwide, there are no reports of new SARS cases appearing since 2004.
SARS respiratory disease first appeared in China in November 2002, and scientists discovered it in February 2003.
SARS has spread to more than 24 countries before health officials can handle it. However, between November 2002 and July 2003, there were 8,098 cases worldwide and 774 deaths.
In the United States, there were eight laboratory confirmed cases and no one was killed. All eight people who had contracted the disease had visited areas where SARS was prevalent.
International co-operation enables health authorities to respond quickly to the threat of SARS and to prevent disease. SARS infection does not occur now, although it may recur in one day.
What is SARS?
Coronavirus SARS-CoV causes SARS. Coronavirus is a common viral infection that often leads to more respiratory infections, including the common cold.
Seven different strains of coronavirus can infect humans. Four of these are common, and most people will get at least one of them during their lifetime.
Three other coronaviruses cause:
SARS
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
COVID-19
The three newly developed coronaviruses all appeared in 2002 and are more likely to be life-threatening than in the past.
Find out how SARS and MERS compare to COVID-19 here.
The spread
Experts believe that coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV, are transmitted by close contact with humans through coughing and sneezing droplets. Bacteria may travel through the air or travel in ways that scientists do not yet know.
The body may absorb the respiratory tract through the mouth, nose, and eyes.
Methods of transmission can include:
hugs and kisses
sharing dishes for food and drink
talking to others over a distance of three feet
direct contact
If droplets from one person fall into an object such as a door handle or a wire, another person can pick up the virus if they touch these objects.
In 2015, scientists found evidence that SARS-CoV could survive in a dry environment for a long time, perhaps for several months.
Causes
SARS was a zoonotic disease, which means it was transmitted from animals to humans.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes that 75% of infectious diseases occur in animals, including rabies and Ebola. Many zoonotic diseases originate with wildlife rather than pets or pets.
Some animals can carry the virus without getting sick because their bodies are accustomed to the virus. This fact means that they may be immune.
Bacteria can change, however. If a virus mutates through contact with another animal, it can be expected and dangerous.
When a new virus begins to appear, people are less likely to defend themselves. Over time, the immune system develops new antibodies to the new virus, and these antibodies equip it to fight off the already existing infection.
When swine flu (H1N1) first appeared in 2009, for example, there were concerns that an epidemic might occur. Now, it is one of the annual flu season where pharmacists introduce an annual flu vaccine. Most people also have immunity to H1N1.
In 2019, a new coronavirus, which scientists identified as SARS-CoV-2, began to infect people in China. This is the virus that causes the current epidemic of COVID-19.
Symptoms
When SARS took place, its symptoms appeared 2 to 7 days after a person was exposed to the virus, but it could also take up to 10 days.
The first symptom was a high fever of more than 100.4 ° F (38.0 ° C). Some minor respiratory symptoms were similar to those of the flu.
Other early symptoms included:
pains
Cold
diarrhea in 10-20% of people
These symptoms develop over a period of 7 days.
After 7-10 days, the person may have noticed:
dry cough
shortness of breath
low levels of oxygen in the body known as hypoxia
Most people with SARS develop pneumonia while others have long-term damage to their liver, kidneys and lungs.
These problems were more common in those over 60, and most people with SARS fully recovered.
Diagnosis
To diagnose SARS, the doctor will ask the person for symptoms and perform a physical examination. They will ask if the person has recently spent time in the area where SARS was present or is caring for a SARS person.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), to receive a SARS diagnosis, a person must have all of the following:
fever at least 100.4 ° F (38 ° C)
one or more symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections, such as coughing, shortness of breath, shortness of breath
radiographic evidence suggesting pneumonia
no other diagnosis will explain the illness
At the time, SARS was rare, and the symptoms far outweighed the flu and pneumonia.
It was only possible for a person to have SARS in the event of an outbreak, and to go to the place where the illness occurred. At the time of writing, there have been no reports of SARS since 2004.
Tests
Laboratory tests can help identify SARS-CoV.
These include:
blood test
sewage test
nasal tissue examination
imaging tests to detect pneumonia
These tests may be unreliable at the onset of infection.
Treatment
SARS is a serious and urgent medical disease.
During the 2003 outbreak, people with SARS in the U.S. They didn't need to go in separately. The WHO recommended isolating patients and using prevention strategies to prevent the spread of the virus, including filter filters and mirrors.
No drugs, including antibiotics, appear to be effective against SARS. Instead, health care providers have provided supportive care, including the use of antidepressants, such as colds and coughs. At the hospital, some people needed a respirator to help them breathe.
Prevention
Like other infectious diseases, some simple steps can help prevent the spread of SARS-CoV if it does not recur.
These include:
frequent hand washing or alcohol-based cleaning
to avoid touching the eyes, mouth, and nose with dirty hands
covering the mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing
avoid sharing food, beverages, and dishes
stay at least 3 meters away from other people
regular cleaning of contaminated areas
Similarly, anyone with SARS symptoms can limit contact with other people for up to 10 days after their symptoms have improved.
SARS appears to be infected only after symptoms appear, and are likely to spread in the second week of illness, according to the CDC.
Take away
The SARS outbreak occurred in 2002-2003. It came from SARS-CoV, a viral-related coronavirus that is responsible for the current epidemic of COVID-19.
When the disease strikes, health officials take immediate action to prevent the spread of the disease. Since 2004, there have been no SARS recorded incidents anywhere in the world.
There is currently no cure for SARS and there is no vaccine against SARS-CoV, but scientists are still investigating.