Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS, serious viral pneumonia)

Description SARS is a respirato...

Description

SARS is a respiratory illness that first infected people in parts of Asia, North America, and Europe in late 2002 and early 2003. SARS is caused by a type of coronavirus, in the same family of viruses that cause the common cold. The SARS virus is known as SARS-CoV. SARS is spread by respiratory droplets that are released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be spread through direct contact with contaminated objects or surfaces. SARS can be fatal.

Symptoms

Fever, cough, difficulty breathing, shaking chills, muscle aches, headache.

Tests

Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment

Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. SARS can be diagnosed by identifying the DNA of the virus from a nasal swab, by detecting antibodies to the virus in the blood, and/or through a viral culture. Other tests will be done to evaluate the severity of the disease.

Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Urinalysis (UA), X-ray

Other Specific Tests: DNA tests, Serology, Viral vulture, PT (Protime), PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time)

Specialists:
Infectious Disease Medicine

Treatment

Patients suspected of having SARS should be treated aggressively, and options may include: supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, intravenous fluids, and hospitalization under isolation. Other treatments that may be administered but have no strong evidence they work include: antibiotics (for possible coexisting pneumonia), antiviral medications, steroids, and serum from people who have recovered from SARS.