SARS

Symptoms

The highly contagious viral respiratory illness SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) manifests itself in the following symptoms:

SARS usually causes pneumonia, shortness of breath, ARDS and can damage other organs such as the heart and liver. The disease often takes a fatal outcome, especially in the elderly. In the winter of 2002/2003, more than 8000 cases and 774 deaths were reported worldwide. The new virus had spread rapidly from China to five continents and 33 countries, including, for example, Vietnam, Singapore and Canada. The first cases occurred in November 2002 in the city of Foshan in southern China‘s Guangdong province. No cases have been reported since mid-2004.

Causes

The cause is infection with the RNA virus SARS-CoV-1 (SARS coronavirus, formerly also: SARS-associated coronavirus), an enveloped and single-stranded coronavirus transmitted by droplets and aerosols, among other routes. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 10 days. The virus was unknown before 2002 – other coronaviruses were known to be causative agents of the common cold. SARS-CoV probably jumped from animals such as larval rollers or tanuki to humans at a Chinese pet market and subsequently spread further. Bats probably represent the natural reservoir. The coronavirus family also includes the MERS virus and SARS-CoV-2, which first appeared in China in December 2019; see Covid-19.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by medical treatment based on patient history, clinical symptoms, physical examination, and laboratory methods.

Drug treatment

Treatment was primarily symptomatic, including oxygen. Sufferers were isolated, and strict hygiene was required. Because this was a new disease, no specific antiviral drugs were available. Various antiviral drugs were tested. Meanwhile, new agents against coronaviruses, such as remdesivir, were developed.

Prevention

  • Hygienic measures: e.g., washing hands, respirators, avoiding physical contact.
  • Quarantine
  • Vaccination