SARS

SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, is a highly infectious viral respiratory illness that emerged in 2002 and caused a global outbreak in 2003. The virus responsible for SARS is a member of the coronavirus family, which also includes the viruses that cause the common cold and other respiratory illnesses. The symptoms of SARS include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and occasionally, diarrhea. The virus spreads from person-to-person through close contact, such as coughing or sneezing. SARS can be transmitted by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching the nose or mouth. The treatment for SARS is mainly supportive, as there is currently no specific antiviral medication for the disease. Patients with severe cases of SARS may require hospitalization and respiratory support to manage their symptoms. Vaccines for SARS are currently under development. Prevention measures for SARS include practicing good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water or using hand sanitizer, avoiding close contact with individuals who show symptoms of the disease, wearing a mask when around individuals who are ill, and staying home if feeling unwell. Due to the severity of the 2002-2003 outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) now closely monitors outbreaks of SARS and other emerging respiratory illnesses to prevent future global health crises.