SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)
SARSis caused by the SARS coronavirus, known as SARS CoV. Coronaviruses commonly cause infections in both humans and animals. There have been two self-limiting SARS outbreaks to date occurred from 2002 to 2004. Since 2004, there haven't been any known cases of SARS reported anywhere in the world. The SARS pandemic: SARS originated in China in 2002. It's thought a strain of the coronavirus usually only found in small mammals mutated, enabling it to infect humans. How SARS is spread: SARS is an airborne virus, which means it's spread in a similar way to colds and flu. The SARS virus is spread in small droplets of saliva coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person. SARS can also be spread indirectly if an infected person touches surfaces like door handles with unwashed hands also through an infected person's stools. Symptoms of SARS: SARS has flu-like symptoms that usually begin two to seven days after infection. The symptoms of SARS include: - a high temperature (fever) over 38C (100.4F) - extreme tiredness (fatigue) - headaches - chills - muscle pain - loss of appetite - diarrhoea After these symptoms, the infection will begin to affect your lungs and airways (respiratory system), leading to additional symptoms, such as: - a dry cough - breathing difficulties - an increasing lack of oxygen in the blood, which can be fatal in the most severe cases Treatment for SARS There's currently no cure for SARS . A person suspected of having SARS should be admitted to hospital immediately and kept in isolation under close observation. Treatment is mainly supportive
