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The year 2003 witnessed an unprecedented outbreak of an atypical form of pneumonia - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Initially originated in China, this viral respiratory illness quickly spread to Hong Kong, Vietnam and few other nations causing confusion and cyous along the way. The resulting situation was disastrous, with newspapers and magazines offering lengthy reports - both rumors and factual accounts about this rapidly spreading disease. Soon there remained few persons unaware about the SARS scare. The symptoms were unrecognizable and method of treatment was unclear. During this year Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome affected nearly 8,069 persons, the death toll touching approximately 775 persons (though exact figure remains unclear). Read on for comprehensive information about SARS - where the disease originated, causes, symptoms and treatment.
When and where did SARS originate?
It is considered that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome originated in southern Chinese province of Guangdong around November 2002 (although the disease was recognized much later). On 26 February 2003, Dr Carlo Urbani, an epidemiologist working for WHO first identified SARS when he was called to check out the condition of a Chinese-American patient (in a Hong Kong hospital) suffering from a disease similar to pneumonia but with a strange set of additional symptoms. The patient Johnny Cheng eventually died not responding to any form of administered treatments and in the course infected 33 hospital staff and also Dr Urbani (who died one month later).
Take a look at few SARS Symptoms
The earliest symptoms for SARS begin with sudden onset of high fever typically 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius or more). Headaches, chills, muscle soreness and a general feeling of discomfort are also commonly experienced. Few even experience diarrhea. With time the patient develops dry unproductive cough, shortness of breath, finally leading to hypoxemia (reduced concentration of oxygen in the blood). At this stage patient may require assistance in breathing via intubations or medical ventilation. Acute lung inflammation is normal among affected persons.
SARS spreads through close person-to-person contact with the infected person (although there have been cases where there was no personal contact and disease was airborne spread). The disease is mainly communicated through respiratory droplets from an infected person, or by contacting with an object or surface contaminated with infected droplets and then touching one's eyes, nose or mouth.
SARS symptoms materialize normally between two to ten days of being exposed to SARC infection. In some cases it may take as long as fourteen days. During the incubation period the person is not infectious however once symptoms are established the patient becomes highly infectious.
The SARS Virus - Cause for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
After extensive research scientists all over have determined that SARS is caused by coronavirus, a crown-like virus that is commonly associated with upper-respiratory diseases. As this virus is known to cause acute sickness among animals. Scientists are considering a possibility that coronavirus jumped between species. Few other viruses such as metapneumovirus and chlamydia are known to aggravate the condition.
How to Treat Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Treatment for SARS is prescribed in the same lines as for any other unknown form of atypical pneumonia and largely involves provision of anti-pyretics, ventilator support and supplemental oxygen. Physicians may administer following treatments based on severity:
- Antibiotics
- Antiviral agents like oseltamivir or ribavirin
- Combination of steroids and antimicrobials
A specific antiviral treatment for SARS is yet to be identified and the degree of response varies depending on persons. Scientists however are on constant research to identify an effective treatment that can offer complete recovery from this malignant condition. For now however it is best to adopt essential preventive measures and report symptoms as early as possible.
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