SARS Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

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SARS Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Definition

SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, is a serious infectious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory system. This disease was first discovered in China in 2002 and was identified in 2003 and eventually spread to North America, South America, Europe and Asia. During the SARS pandemic, it was reported that more than 770 deaths from this disease occurred.

Since 2004, there have been no known reports of new cases of SARS anywhere in the world. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to monitor countries around the world to monitor this disease.

Symptoms

Symptoms of SARS are a combination of flu and pneumonia symptoms. Generally, symptoms appear within two to seven days after exposure to SARS-CoV. Some of the common symptoms that appear are:

  • High fever, generally above 38 0 C
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Headache
  • Shivering
  • Muscle ache
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite

After the appearance of these initial symptoms, the infection will begin to affect the lungs and the rest of the respiratory system. This can cause additional symptoms, such as:

  • Dry cough
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Lack of oxygen in the blood, which can be fatal in severe cases 

Reason

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is caused by a viral infection, namely the SARS coronavirus (SARS CoV). Coronavirus itself is a type of virus that often causes disease in the upper respiratory tract.

There are six types of coronavirus that are known to infect humans, four of which commonly infect humans. It is estimated that everyone will be infected with at least one of the four types of coronavirus in their lifetime. Colds ( common cold ) are also caused by a type of coronavirus.

Two other types of coronavirus are known to cause Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). These two types of coronavirus are less common but can be fatal. Scientists estimate that SARS-CoV results from the mutation of a coronavirus that infects animals, into a new and deadly type of virus that can infect humans.

A person can spread SARS-CoV through respiratory droplets, for example by coughing or sneezing. Besides that, it can also be spread through hugging and kissing, sharing cutlery, talking at close range (under 0.9 m) with someone, and touching someone directly. These droplets can also stick to objects, such as doorknobs, and other people who touch these objects can be infected. 

Diagnosis

The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests several criteria that need to be met so that someone can be diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome, namely:

  • Fever, at least 38 0 C
  • One or more symptoms of lower respiratory tract disease, namely coughing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath or shortness of breath
  • A radiographic examination showed pneumonia
  • There is no other diagnosis that can explain this disease

There are several types of investigations that can help identify SARS-CoV. For example RT-PCR ( reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ) which can detect viruses in blood, feces, and secretions from the nose; serological examination to detect SARS CoV antibodies in the blood; and viral culture examination.

Treatment

Currently, there is no medicine to cure severe acute respiratory syndrome. Everyone with suspicion of having SARS needs to be taken to the hospital immediately and placed in an isolation room under close observation.

Some of the supportive therapies that can be done are:

  • Use of a ventilator to assist breathing and delivery of oxygen
  • Use of antibiotics if pneumonia appears due to a bacterial infection
  • Anti-viral drugs
  • High doses of steroids to help reduce swelling in the lungs

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