Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

The name of a potentially fatal new respiratory disease in humans which is caused by the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV).


A serious form of pneumonia thought to be caused by a virus that does not respond to standard antibiotic treatment. Symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) include high fever, shortness of breath, a dry cough, and difficulty breathing. The illness can be fatal.


A severe infectious disease caused by a coronavirus marked the emergence of the first major disease of the twenty-first century. It originated from transmission occurrences between animals and humans within Chinese markets.


The acronym for severe acute respiratory syndrome, a potentially grave viral infection capable of inducing pneumonia.


SARS is thought to result from a novel strain of coronavirus and is primarily transmitted through close personal interactions in most instances.


Symptoms manifest within a span of two to seven days and encompass abrupt fever (occasionally accompanied by chills), muscle soreness, and headache. Following an additional three to seven days, a dry cough (accompanied by potentially severe shortness of breath) might emerge, potentially indicating the onset of pneumonia.


Several examinations, which might involve chest X-rays, sputum microscopy, and blood tests, could be conducted to rule out alternative pneumonia causes. There is ongoing development of dependable tests aimed at detecting the presence of the virus.


Treatment encompasses oxygen therapy, with the potential addition of artificial ventilation if required. Antibiotic and/or antiviral medications might be prescribed in certain cases, even though no specific drug therapy has been proven to be efficacious. Currently, there exists no vaccine or definitive curative treatment. Consequently, disease management relies on physical measures such as employing face masks, practicing thorough hand washing, and isolating infected individuals.


Not everyone afflicted with SARS will encounter pneumonia; the majority recuperate without requiring specific treatment. Nevertheless, among those who do develop pneumonia, the condition might result in fatality for 1 out of every 7 individuals.


 


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