SARS is a viral disease that affects the respiratory system. Doctors consider SARS to be atypical pneumonia because both diseases share similar symptoms. What are the causes of acute respiratory failure? What is the treatment of patients infected with the SARS virus?

Contents:

  1. SARS: reasons
  2. SARS: symptoms
  3. SARS: diagnostics
  4. SARS: treatment
  5. SARS: prevention
  6. SARS and MERS

SARS(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) isSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome- a type of atypical pneumonia. The first cases of SARS were reported in China in November 2002, although Chinese authorities tried to hide it for several months. Consequently, the disease has spread to almost all continents. According to WHO data, during the epidemic from February to July 2003, 8,096 people fell ill with SARS around the world, of which 774 died.

SARS: reasons

SARS is a disease caused by thecoronavirusSARS-CoV. It is supposed that their precursor is a virus that lives among Asian animals called civets. These animals are sold in markets, mainly in China, which is why an epidemic has developed there.

The first mentions of coronaviruses causing human infections date back to the 1960s when two pathogens - HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 - were discovered that caused a mild cold that resolved spontaneously within a few days. SARS-CoV is one of three known fatal coronaviruses: the other two are MERS-Cov and the 2022-nCoV virus, known as the Wuhan coronavirus.

The SARS virus is transmitted through direct contact with sick people, mainly by airborne droplets and air. Infection is also possible through indirect contact with items contaminated with respiratory secretions or the patient's body fluids.

SARS: symptoms

The symptoms of SARS are not specific. In the course of the disease, there are fever above 38 degrees C and problems with the respiratory system, such as: sore throat, dry cough and shortness of breath. They may also appear:

  • feeling "broken"
  • chills
  • headaches
  • muscle pains
  • gastrointestinal disorders

The symptoms of SARS usually appear from 2 to7 days after infection, but in some cases this period may extend up to 10 days.

SARS: diagnostics

The diagnosis of SARS is based on an interview with the patient, the purpose of which is to determine whether:

  • the sick person had close contact with people suffering from SARS in the last few or several days
  • stayed in places where SARS was confirmed (e.g. hospital)
  • traveled to high-risk countries (China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Ontario, Canada)

A chest X-ray is also performed (in the case of SARS, atypical pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome should be found).

SARS: treatment

No drug has been developed to combat the SARS-CoV virus. Treatment is symptomatic similar to that for severe pneumonia. However, the first thing to do is isolate the sick person.

In more severe cases, oxygen therapy may be necessary, and even connecting the patient to a respirator. Intravenous glucocorticosteroids can also be given to improve lung function.

SARS: prevention

A vaccine against the SARS virus has not been developed, therefore the only method of preventing the disease is to avoid direct contact with the infected. In addition, you should follow the basic rules of hygiene, i.e. wash your hands often.

SARS and MERS

Although both viruses belong to the same family, their effects on the human body differ significantly. The MERS-nCoV strain is more aggressive - it replicates faster than SARS and is able to penetrate the barrier of the immune system as easily as the virus that causes a cold. In addition, the nCoV virus is much more deadly than SARS, as every second infected person dies.

Pneumonia: symptoms

How to recognize pneumonia? Listen to our drug expert. Katarzyna Bukol-Krawczyk, internist of the Lux Med group.

Category:

Infectious diseases