SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS)
SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by virus known as cononavirus, SARS associated cononavirus (SARS-CoV) characterized by severe difficult in breathing which sometimes cause death. It is a serious form of viral pneumonia, first identified in Asia in 2003. The World Health Organization has designated SARS a global health threat in February - 2003, an epidemic killed nearly 774 people worldwide before it was successfully contained. No new cases of SARS have been reported since 2004.
SYMPTOMS OF SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME.
Initially symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome are flu-like. Incubation period of SARS is between four to six days, onset of symptoms is between two to ten days. SARS may complicate into viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia, symptoms includes:
- fever is more than 38.0 degree Celsius associated with chills
- headache
- dry, non productive cough
- general body weakness / malaise
- sore throat
- runny nose
- difficult in breathing
- skeletal muscle aches
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomit
- excessive night sweats
- confusion / loss of concetration
- diarrhea is about 10 percent to 20 percent of the patients
CAUSES AND TRANSMISSION OF SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME.
coronavirus |
SARS is caused by virus of cononavirus family (same family with those cause common cold), called SARS associated cononavirus (SARS-CoV). Transmission of SARS is by respiratory droplets from sneezes, coughs of infected person come in contact with mucous membrane of another person through breathing. also infections can spread through contact with a contaminated respiratory droplets from an infected person and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose. The illness is thought to be spread through the air.
How Is SARS Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of SARS is by clinical history that is symptoms of SARS of the patient and number of laboratory tests are performed on swab and blood samples such as Antibody tests for SARS, Direct isolation of the SARS virus, Rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS virus, Also imaging tests such as chest X-ray or CT scan may be used to rule out pneumonia.
- Arterial blood tests
- Blood clotting tests
- Complete blood count (CBC)
TREATMENT FOR SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME.
Currently, there is no cure or protective therapy for SARS that is safe and effective to human, both antibiotics and antiviral medications are not that effective for the treatment. Treatment for SARS is based on supportive therapy with with analgesics (drugs used to relief pain) or antipyretics (drugs used to reduce fever), supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation (breathing support) as needed. Antiviral medications and high doses of steroids are sometimes administered to reduce lung swelling. In some severe cases, the liquid part of blood (blood plasma) from patient who have already recovered from SARS has been given as a treatment but no evidence shows treatment is working.
PREVENTION FOR SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME.
There is no vaccine yet for the SARS illness, Isolation and separation of the patient with SARS is essential for the prevention of disease. Other preventive measures includes:
wearing mask reduces risk of SARS |
- Wear disposable gloves if touching any infected bodily fluids.
- Wear a surgical mask when in the same room with a person with SARS.
- Disinfect surfaces that may have been contaminated with the virus.
- Hand washing
- Avoiding contact with bodily fluids infected person
- Washing the personal items of someone with SARS in hot, soapy water (eating utensils, dishes, bedding, etc.)
- simple hygienic measures
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