SARS - Severe acute respiratory syndrome

  Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a contagious and potentially fatal respiratory illness, which first appeared in China in November 2002, and scientists identified the virus that causes this serious form of viral pneumonia in 2003.

 The coronavirus SARS-CoV causes SARS. SARS-CoV is related to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 infection.

 From 2002 to 2003, an outbreak of SARS spread across 24 countries. In 2003, this epidemic killed approximately 774 people worldwide before it was successfully contained. The World Health Organization designated SARS a global health threat.  The outbreak occurred from 2002 to 2003, but the disease is no longer circulating. No new cases of SARS have been reported since 2004.

 Causes

 

SARS was a zoonotic disease -of animal origin but passed on to humans.

 

The coronavirus SARS-CoV  typically causes upper respiratory tract illness, such as the common cold.

 

Seven different kinds of coronavirus can infect humans. Four of these are common, and most people will experience at least one of them during their life.

 

The three other coronaviruses cause:

• SARS
• Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
• COVID-19

The three most recent coronaviruses have all emerged since 2002 and are more likely to be life threatening than the previous ones.

 

When a new virus first emerges, people do not have immunity. In time, the immune system develops antibodies for the new virus, and these antibodies equip it to fight the resulting disease.

When swine flu (H1N1) first appeared in 2009, there were concerns of a pandemic. Now, it is one of the seasonal flu strains controlled with the annual flu vaccine. Many people also have immunity to H1N1.

 

In 2019, a new coronavirus,  SARS-CoV-2, appeared in China causing the current COVID-19 pandemic

Symptoms 

Symptoms appear 2–7 days after a person was exposed to the virus- it could also take up to 10 days.

 

The first symptom is a high fever of more than 38.0°C. Other mild respiratory symptoms were similar to those of flu. Other early symptoms included:

• aches
• chills
• diarrhea in 10–20% of people
• a dry cough
• head ache
• body aches
• loss of appetite
• malaise
• shortness of breath
• low oxygen levels in the body known as hypoxia 

Breathing issues will appear within two to 10 days after a person is exposed to the virus. Health officials will quarantine a person who presents the above symptoms and family members if they have a history of foreign travel. The person will be quarantined for 10 days to prevent the virus from spreading.

 

Spread

 

Coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV, spread through close human contact and in droplets from coughing and sneezing.  Human/Face-to-face contact can be:

• caring for someone with SARS
• having contact with the bodily fluids of a person with SARS
• kissing, hugging, touching, or sharing utensils with an infected person

Also,

• touching a surface contaminated with respiratory droplets from an infected person and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
• through the air, possibly.

 

The respiratory droplets are absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and eyes. SARS-CoV might survive on a dry surface for extended periods, possibly for several months 

Factors which increase risk of contracting the disease include close contact with someone with SARS and a history of travel to any other country with a reported SARS outbreak.

 

Diagnosis

• Various lab tests have been developed to detect the SARS virus-performed on nasal and throat swabs or blood samples.
• A chest X-ray or CT scan may also reveal signs of pneumonia characteristic of SARS.
• Virus was identified by electron microscopy, growth in Vero cell culture, animal inoculation, histology,  cloning, sequencing etc
• Molecular and serological tests for rapid diagnosis developed
• RT PCR for early diagnosis, ELISA for rise in antibody titre, Indirect immunoflourescent test for later tests 

Complications

• Most of the fatalities associated with SARS result from respiratory failure.
• SARS can also lead to long-term damage to liver, kidneys, heart and lungs
• These complications were more likely in those more than 60 years of age who have been diagnosed with another chronic condition
• Most people with SARS made a full recovery

 Treatment 

• • There is no confirmed treatment that works for every person who has SARS.
  • Antiviral medications and steroids are sometimes given to reduce lung swelling, but aren’t effective for everyone.
  • Supplemental oxygen or a ventilator may be prescribed if necessary.
  • Virus is highly mutable- so vaccine may not be easy though researchers are working on vaccine for SARS
  • Control by strict isolation and quarantine
  • Because there’s no confirmed treatment or cure for SARS, it’s important to take as many preventive measures as possible.

   To prevent transmission of SARS :

  • Wash  hands frequently.
  • 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.
  • Wash all personal items, including bedding and utensils, used by a person with SARS.
  • Follow all of the above steps for at least 10 days after the symptoms of SARS have gone away.
  • Keep children home from school if they develop a fever or any breathing problems after coming in contact with someone with SARS.