Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
SARS
A new disease called SARS
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory illness that was first
reported in Asia in February 2003. In early March, the World Health Organization
(WHO) issued a global alert about SARS. Over the next few months, the illness
spread to more than two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe
and Asia. By late July, however, no new cases were being reported and the
illness was considered contained. According to WHO, 8,437 people worldwide
became sick with SARS during the course of this outbreak. Of those people who
became sick, 813 died.
What are the symptoms and signs of SARS?
The clinical criteria for the diagnosis of SARS are:
- One or more signs or symptoms of respiratory illness including cough,
shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, hypoxia, or radiographic (X-ray)
findings of pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome AND
- Fever (>38° C [100.4° F]) AND
If I were exposed to SARS, how long would it take for me to become sick?
The
incubation period for SARS is typically 2-7 days; however, isolated reports have
suggested an incubation period as long as 10 days. The illness usually begins
with a fever (>100.4°F [>38.0°C]) (see signs and symptoms, above).
How is SARS spread?
The primary way that SARS appears to spread is by close person-to-person
contact. Most cases of SARS have involved people who cared for or lived with
someone with SARS, or people who had direct contact with infectious material
(for example, respiratory secretions) from a person with SARS. Potential ways in
which SARS can spread include touching the skin of other people or objects that
are contaminated with infectious droplets and then touching your eye(s), nose,
or mouth. This can happen when someone who is sick with SARS coughs or sneezes
droplets onto themselves, other people, or nearby surfaces.
It also is possible
that SARS may spread more broadly through the air or by other ways that are not
now known.
Who got sick with SARS?
Most of the U.S. cases of SARS occurred among travelers returning from other
parts of the world with SARS. There were very few cases as a result of spread to
close contacts, such as family members and health-care workers. SARS did not
spread more widely in the community in the United States.
What is the cause of SARS?
SARS is caused by a previously unrecognized coronavirus, called SARS-associated
coronavirus (SARS-CoV). It is possible that other infectious agents might have a
role in some cases of SARS.
What are coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses are a group of
viruses that have a halo
or crown-like (corona) appearance when viewed under a microscope. These viruses
are a common cause of mild to moderate upper-respiratory illness in humans and
are associated with respiratory, gastrointestinal, liver and neurologic disease
in animals. Coronaviruses can survive in the environment for as long as three
hours.
Is there a test for SARS?
No "test" is available yet for SARS;
however, CDC, in collaboration with WHO and other laboratories, has developed 2
research tests that appear to be very promising in detecting antibodies to the
new coronavirus. CDC is working to refine and share this testing capability as
soon as possible with laboratories across the United States and internationally.
This information has been provided with the kind permission of the Centers For Disease Control
(www.cdc.gov).
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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
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Last Editorial Review: 8/11/2003
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