Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) first emerged in China during November 2002. This contagious respiratory illness spread globally within months as travelers unknowingly carried the disease across borders.
The SARS outbreak demonstrated how quickly infections can spread in our interconnected world. It also showcased the effectiveness of international cooperation, as health experts worked together to contain the outbreak successfully. No SARS transmissions have been documented worldwide since 2004.
Symptoms
SARS typically starts with symptoms similar to the flu. People may experience fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, and sometimes diarrhea.
About one week later, these symptoms often progress to:
- Temperature of 100.5ยฐF (38ยฐC) or higher
- Dry cough
- Difficulty breathing
When to See a Doctor
Contact your doctor immediately if you have signs of a respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms with fever after traveling to another country. SARS is a serious condition that can be fatal, so early medical attention is important.
Causes
The severe respiratory illness known as SARS comes from a coronavirus strain. While coronaviruses typically cause mild illnesses like the common cold in humans, this particular strain developed into something more dangerous.
Scientists believe this coronavirus likely evolved from animal viruses into a new human-affecting strain. This jump from animals to humans created a virus that our bodies weren’t prepared to fight.
How SARS Spreads
SARS primarily spreads through respiratory droplets in the air. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, these actions release tiny droplets containing the virus.
Close contact with infected individuals presents the highest risk, especially for caregivers and healthcare workers.
The virus can also survive on surfaces. Common touchpoints that may harbor the virus include:
| Common Contaminated Surfaces |
|---|
| Doorknobs |
| Telephones |
| Elevator buttons |
| Handrails |
Touching these contaminated objects and then touching your face can lead to infection.
Risk Factors
People who face the highest chance of getting SARS are those with close, direct contact with infected individuals. This includes family members living with someone who has SARS and healthcare workers caring for SARS patients.
The virus spreads most easily through close personal interactions, putting these groups at greater risk than the general public.
Complications
SARS can lead to several serious health problems. Many patients develop pneumonia, and some experience such severe breathing difficulties that they need mechanical ventilation to survive.
In certain cases, SARS proves fatal, primarily due to respiratory failure. The disease can also cause heart and liver failure in some patients.
People over 60 years of age face the highest risk of developing serious complications, particularly if they have existing health conditions like diabetes or hepatitis.
Ways to Prevent SARS Spread
If you are taking care of someone who might have SARS, follow these safety steps to protect yourself and others:
- Hand hygiene is essential. Wash hands often with soap and hot water. You can also use hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content.
- Use protective gear. Wear disposable gloves when touching body fluids or feces. After each use, throw the gloves away and wash your hands right away.
- Wear face protection. Put on a surgical mask when in the same room as the sick person. Eyeglasses may give some extra protection.
- Clean personal items thoroughly. Wash the sick person’s dishes, towels, bedding, and clothes with soap and hot water.
- Sanitize surfaces. Use household disinfectants on any surface that might have body fluids on them. This includes areas with sweat, saliva, mucus, vomit, stool, or urine.
Continue all these safety measures for at least 10 days after the person’s symptoms have gone away.
- For children: Keep kids home from school if they get a fever or breathing problems within 10 days of being around someone with SARS.
Scientists are working on SARS vaccines, but none have been tested in humans yet. These prevention steps remain the best defense if SARS cases appear again.
