• It is a contagious respiratory disease.

• Its was first seen in china in 2002

• 8000 people were infected and 800 people died due to SARS.

• It is caused by a strain of coronavirus.
• It evolved from 1 or more animal viruses into a new strain and spread to humans from animals

• Severe breathing problems needing mechanical respirator.
• Death due to respiratory failure,heart or liver failure.

• It can can be transmitted by inhaling infected droplets from a infected person who is at 3 feet distance.
• It can be transmitted by airborne particles which enter the air when a infected person coughs or sneezes.
• The airborne particles remain in the air even after the infected person leaves the place.
• The virus can also be transmitted by infected objects like doorknobs, telephones and elevator buttons

• A history of contact with SARS patient within last 10 days or travel to regions where SARS patients are present is also necessary.
• Chest x-ray shows abnormal patchy infiltrates
• DNA test (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test):this test is done on nasal secretions,blood or stool samples
• Blood test(serologic test):

               1.This tests antibodies to SARS virus

               2.It is of two types called ELISA ( enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) and immunofluorescence assay.

• At early stage there is neutrophilia and lymphopenia
• Later there is increase of White blood cells and platelets number
• There is increase of c-reactive protein, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase
• Sodium and potassium are sometimes low.
• Virus test(viral culture)

• Being in contact with infected roommate or family member
• Doctors or hospital workers who treated SARS patients before identification of disease.
• People with variation of immune system gene are susceptible to SARS.
• This variation is common in southeast asia especially china.

• Initial Symptoms begin 2 to 7 days after infection.
• Fever.100.4F(38 c) or higher
• Chills
• Muscle soreness or myalgia
• Lethargy
• Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Headache
• General feeling of discomfort
• Sore throat
• Dizziness
• Runny nose
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Shortness of breath occurs later
• Dry cough is seen 2 to 7 days after initial symptoms
• Some people get pneumonia leading to insufficient amount of oxygen in blood (hypoxemia).

• In order to prevent SARS:

1. wash hands with frequently with soap and hot water or use alcohol based hand rub which has 60% alcohol.
2. use disposable tissue to rub your eyes or nose
3. wear disposable gloves if you need to touch infected person’s body fluids or feces and then throw them away.
4. wear surgical mask and glasses when you are in the surroundings of infected person.
5. use soap and hot water to wash utensils, towels, bedding and clothing of someone with SARS.
6. use a household disinfectant to clean any surfaces that are contaminated with sweat ,saliva, mucus, vomit, stool or urine.
7. wear disposable gloves while you clean and throw the gloves away after that.
8. follow precautions for 10 days after the symptoms disappear.
9. ask children to be at home if they get any respiratory symptoms or fever within 10 days of exposure to patient with SARS.

10. they can go back to school if symptoms go away after 3 days.

• In 2004, some Chinese researchers developed SARS vaccine and it produced antibodies in many people.

• Patients with SARS are isolated in negative pressure rooms or rooms with vacuum.
• Treatment of SARS is mainly supportive treatment with antipyretics, supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilator.
• Combination of antiviral drugs like lopinavir, ritonavir and ribavirin which are used to treat AIDS patients is helpful to treat SARS.
• Steroids are also used for treatment
• The treatment for SARS is mostly under research and trials.