Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

What is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome is a severe respiratory infection caused by the same type of virus (coronavirus) that causes the common cold. However, the SARS coronavirus can cause a much more serious infection than the common cold.

A SARS infection can get worse quickly and can lead to a life-threatening lung infection (pneumonia). The virus is contagious. This means that it can spread from person to person through droplets from coughs and sneezes (respiratory secretions).

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The virus is spread by:

  • Breathing the virus through droplets from a cough or a sneeze of a sick person.
  • Touching a contaminated surface and then touching your face.
  • Kissing or coming in close contact with a sick person.
  • Sharing eating or drinking utensils with a sick person.

What increases the risk?

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

  • Living or traveling to an area with a SARS outbreak.
  • Being 65 or older.
  • Caring for a person with SARS.
  • Having a long-term disease that lowers your resistance to infection, especially liver inflammation (hepatitis).

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms start 2–10 days after infection. They may include:

  • High fever.
  • Chills.
  • Body aches.
  • Tiredness.
  • Headache.
  • Dry cough.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Diarrhea.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

  • Your symptoms.
  • A physical exam.

You may also have tests, including:

  • Blood tests.
  • Swabs taken of body secretions or fluids to test for coronavirus.
  • A chest X-ray to check for pneumonia.

How is this treated?

There is no medicine to treat SARS. Most people get better after about a week. Sometimes it takes longer. Treatment may include support in the hospital during recovery. This may include:

  • Giving fluids through an IV in one of your veins.
  • Receiving oxygen.
  • Being put on a mechanical breathing machine (ventilator).

Follow these instructions at home:

Protecting others

  • To avoid spreading the illness to other people:
    • Avoid close contact with other people until you have had no symptoms for 10 days.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If you have not cleaned your hands, do not touch your face.
    • Make sure that all people in your household wash their hands well and often.
    • Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
    • Throw away used tissues.
    • Stay home if you have any cold-like or flu-like symptoms.

General instructions

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Use a cool mist humidifier to add humidity to the air in your home. This can make it easier to breathe.
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
  • Rest at home as directed by your health care provider.
  • Do not give aspirin to a child with the flu, because of the association with Reye’s syndrome.
  • Do not use tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

  • Avoid areas where an outbreak has been reported.
  • Avoid large groups of people.
  • Keep a safe distance from people who are coughing and sneezing.
  • Do not touch your face if you have not cleaned your hands.
  • When you are around people who are sick or might be sick, wear a mask to protect yourself.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have symptoms of SARS that are not getting better at home.
  • You have a fever.

Get help right away if:

  • You have difficulty breathing.
  • You have chest pain.

Summary

  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a severe respiratory infection caused by the same type of virus (coronavirus) that causes the common cold. However, the SARS coronavirus causes a much more serious infection.
  • A SARS infection can get worse quickly and can lead to a life-threatening lung infection (pneumonia).
  • The virus is contagious. This means that it can spread from person to person through droplets from coughs and sneezes (respiratory secretions).
  • There is no medicine to treat SARS. Treatment may include support in the hospital during recovery. Most people get better after a week or so.
  • Follow your health care provider’s instructions about taking medicines, drinking fluids, avoiding close contact with sick people, preventing SARS, and calling for help.
15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856