A Severe Acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS is a respiratory tract infection caused by the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The symptoms are initially similar to influenza, but can deteriorate rapidly.
SARS was first discovered in Guangdong, China, in 2002 and newly identified at the beginning of 2003. The disease then spread rapidly to various countries.
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2003, there were 8,098 people around the world who were affected by SARS and 774 of them died.
SARS is an infectious disease. The transmission of SARS occurs when a person accidentally inhales a splash of saliva secreted by a SARS sufferer during sneezing or coughing.
SARS Causes and risk factors
The cause is Coronavirus. SARS are transmitted through close contact, for example, at the time of treating the sufferer, living in one house with or direct contact with secretions / bodily fluids of a suspect or probable person. It is suspected that the main spread is by splashing (droplets) and possibly through contaminated clothing and tools.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Symptoms
SARS symptoms are known to be
- Malaise,
- Myalgia,
- Fever, and
- Follow respiratory symptoms in the form of coughs accompanied by breathing difficulties.
- Symptoms may also be accompanied by diarrhea.
- These symptoms gave a few days later accompanied by Viraemia, 10 days after the onset.
When should You contact a doctor?
You should immediately be checked into the hospital if there are several symptoms of SARS, such as high fever, muscle aches, and dry cough, if you have a history of heart disorders, high blood pressure, or diabetes, to prevent complications.
SARS Diagnosis
The World Health Agency (WHO) suggests several criteria that need to be fulfilled so that one can be diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome, namely:
- Fever, at least 38 degrees Celsius
- One or more symptoms of lower respiratory tract disease, namely cough, difficulty in breathing or tightness, or short breath
- Radiographic examination indicating pneumonia
- No other diagnosis could explain the disease
There are several types of supporting tests that can help identify SARS CoV. For example, RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) can detect viruses in blood, feces, and secretions from the nose; Serological examination to detect SARS CoV antibodies in the blood; and virus culture examination.
Treatment
The information below is not a substitute for medical advice from a physician; Always have yourself checked into a professional doctor.
Until this article was written, it has not been found a drug that can cure SARS. If you are exposed to SARS, the health care personnel will prescribe treatments, especially those that help your immune system to tame the virus.
Despite an integrated global effort, scientists have not found an effective treatment for SARS disease. Antibiotic drugs do not work against viruses and antiviral drugs have not shown many benefits.
Treatment to relieve SARS symptoms is adequate ventilation, oxygen, physiotherapy, antibiotics, and antiviral drugs. The given antiviral medication will not eliminate the SARS virus in your body, but prevents other viruses from infecting other unwanted diseases.
If you experience symptoms of pneumonia, the doctor will also usually prescribe an anti-inflammatory steroid.
Complications of SARS
SARS is a serious disease that must be treated quickly. When treated too late, SARS can cause dangerous complications, such as:
- Pneumonia
- Respiratory failure
- Liver failure
- Heart failure
- Kidney disorders
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
The International Committee for Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) has given the official name of the new coronavirus that is currently spreading in China, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has established its official name as COVID-19.
Read also:
Lung Conditions of COVID-19 Patient
