Sars

SARS (servere actie respiratory https://truthmedia-ct.blogspot.com/?m=1syndrome)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS) is a viral respiratory disease of zoonotic origin caused by the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV).

It first appeared in China in November 2002 and was identified in February 2003.

SARS spread to over 24 countries before it was contained. Since May 2004, no new cases have been reported.

From November 2002 to July 2003, there were 8,098 cases worldwide and 774 deaths.

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Why do we worry about zoonotic diseases?

SARS was the first coronavirus to present severe symptoms in humans.

Diseases that pass from animals to humans are called zoonotic diseases. They are relatively rare.

The main concern when they first emerge is that they are new strains and also new to humans, so the human body does not yet have immunity.

It is often impossible to predict what may happen. In the case of SARS, animals may have been a host for the virus.

In 2013, scientists discovered that two new coronaviruses found in Chinese horseshoe bats are a close relative of the SARS-coronavirus.

A report published in 2014 suggested that over 320,000 mammal viruses have not yet been discovered.

Symptoms

Symptoms normally appear within 3 to 5 days after exposure to the SARS virus, but they can develop after 2 to 7 days. During the incubation period, before symptoms appear, the disease is not contagious.

Most cases of SARS begin with a high fever. Other early symptoms include those common to flu, such as aches, chills, diarrhea, dry coughing, and shortness of breath. These will develop over the course of a week.

Patients may go on to develop pneumonia, an infection of the lungs.

Serious complications, such as respiratory failure, heart failure, and liver failure may occur.

These complications are more likely in people aged over 60 years, and those with pre-existing co-morbidities, such as diabetes or hepatitis.

Prevention

Prevention

As with other infectious diseases, some simple steps can be taken to help prevent the SARS virus from spreading

Treatment and prevention

The U.S. did not require people with SARS to enter quarantine during the 2003 outbreak, but SARS is a reportable disease. It is also a medical emergency, and urgent medical care is needed.

The WHO recommends isolating patients and using barrier techniques to prevent the spread of the virus, including filter masks and goggles. No drug, including antibiotics, appears to be effective against SARS.

Supportive care is recommended, including the use of medications to relieve symptoms such as fever and a cough.

Diagnosis

The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that, to be diagnosed with SARS, a person must have all of the following:

• a fever of at least 100.4° Fahrenheit or 38° Celsius
• one or more symptoms of lower respiratory tract illness: a cough, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
• radiographic evidence to suggest a diagnosis of pneumonia
• no alternative diagnosis to fully explain the illness

Tests

Tests can help confirm a diagnosis of SARS by detecting the virus and antibodies.

Laboratory tests can help identify SARS-CoV.

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing can detect the virus in blood, stool, and nasal secretions.

Serologic testing can detect SARS-CoV antibodies in the blood. If a person has antibodies, they are also likely to have the infection.

Doctors may also use a viral culture. This involves putting a small same of body tissue or fluid into a container with some cells in which the virus can grow. If the virus grows, the cells will change.

These tests may not be reliable if used in the early stages of infection