What is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS?

Introduction

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal respiratory disease caused by a viral infection affecting the human respiratory organs.

The first reports for SARS came from China in November 2002. In the next few months, SARS spread within China and other countries via unsuspecting travellers.

A collaborative international effort and advances in medical sciences helped in containing the first outbreak of SARS.

In December 2019, the second outbreak of SARS was reported in the Wuhan district of Hubei province, China.

The delay in information relay about the SARS outbreak to the world governments led to a global pandemic situation worldwide as the traveling ban was not implemented on time.

Vital information on the disease progression has developed, and health experts are trying to find a cure for SARS worldwide. Unfortunately, no vaccine or medication has been developed yet. There are several vaccines on trial. Some of the vaccines have shown promising results; however, they are months away from mass production and global availability.

What Symptoms of SARS are Presented?

Symptoms of SARS are common cold comprising fever, chills, body aches, headache, and sometimes diarrhoea. Some other symptoms may include:

1) High fever (105°F or higher)

2) Dry cough

3) Breathing difficulty

In case flu-like symptoms persist for more than a week, a doctor should be immediately consulted, because of the exponential progression of the disease.

Since there is no cure for SARS now, doctors only recommend supportive therapy to the patients. For outpatients, paracetamol is prescribed to lower the body temperature in case of fever.

Paracetamol is available at all retail and online pharmacies.

What Causes SARS?

SARS is a viral infection caused by a coronavirus strain. The virus strain involved in 2002 was designated as nCoV-1 by the World Health Organization (WHO), which stands for novel coronavirus-1. The virus strain involved in the 2020 pandemic has been designated as nCoV-2 by WHO, which stands for novel coronavirus-2. The coronavirus infection has been called Covid-19 infection by the WHO.

Coronavirus disease is a zoonotic disease and causes severe disease in animals. The virus is transmitted to humans when the meat of the infected animal is consumed. Once inside the human body, a series of mutations cause the virus to become virulent and cause diseases like SARS.

How SARS Spreads?

Like most respiratory illnesses, SARS spreads through droplets via coughing and sneezing. When a person comes into contact with these droplets either directly (when the droplets land on the face) or indirectly (via personal contact such as touching, shaking hands, etc.), the virus enters the body, and the disease progression cycle starts. The virus can also spread when a person encounters contaminated objects (objects with droplets on their surface), such as doorknobs and elevator buttons.

What are the Risk Factors Associated with SARS?

People who come in direct contact with someone who's infected, such as a family member or healthcare worker, are at a greater risk of acquiring the disease.

Can Any Complication Rise?

The disease progression of SARS depends on the immunity of a person. People who have higher immunity levels are less susceptible to SARS than those with lower immunity levels, such as children, old age people, and people with underlying health issues - diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders, asthma, etc.

Many people with SARS do not show any severe symptoms and recover in 2 to 3 days. However, some people develop pneumonia and breathing problems. These problems can become severe, and the patient may have to keep on a mechanical respirator. In most cases, people recover completely; however, in some cases, SARS can lead to permanent tissue damage or even death. Multiple organ failure is another complication is associated with SARS.

Elder people above 60 years of age, and those with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, are at the highest risk of serious complications.

Can SARS be Prevented?

SARS can only be prevented by not encountering the virus. Since the virus spreads through droplets, simple methods to maintain personal hygiene can help in the prevention of SARS. Following methods can be employed for the prevention of SARS:

• v  Washing hands with soap and water
• v  Cleaning hands and surfaces with an alcohol-based sanitizer
• v  Wearing disposable gloves
• v  Wearing surgical masks when talking to another person
• v  Maintaining social distance
• v  Disinfecting surface
• v  Boosting immunity

In case of the occurrence of symptoms, quarantine procedures should be employed, i.e., isolation for 10-15 days.

How is SARS diagnosed?

There are several laboratory and rapid tests to help in the detection of the virus. However, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) -based identification is the best identification method for detecting coronavirus.

How is SARS Treated?

Doctors prescribe supportive treatment by diagnosing the symptoms. Medications like antipyretics tablets or analgesics medicines may get prescribed to lower down the body temperature that will provide relief from body aches. Nebulization is another option that the doctors prefer that helps to clear airways so that the patient can breathe freely. Medicines for managing symptoms, such as paracetamol, are available at any retail pharmacy or can be purchased online by using an onlinepharmacy delivery app.

Conclusion

SARS is a contagious disease, and people with SARS-like symptoms should immediately consult a doctor. SARS can be fatal if the condition is left untreated. Since vaccines and medicines for SARS are yet to be developed, maintaining social distance, and limiting surface contacts are the best ways to prevent the disease.