feb 1, 2003 - SARS
Description:
The infectious agent which causes SARS is called SARS-CoV. SARS is also known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and is a viral infection.
SARS can be found in nature through bats, it then spreads to cats and lastly humans. Being that animals can transmit the disease, humans are not the only host. It is transmitted through droplets from coughing or sneezing as well as close contact with someone contaminated with the disease. The disease carries on to infect by the droplets being absorbed into a person’s body through their mouth, nose, and eyes.
Some behaviors that put someone at risk for becoming contaminated with SARS is caring for someone with SARS, having contact with the bodily fluids of someone with SARS, and kissing, hugging, touching, or sharing eating or drinking utensils with someone infected with SARS.
The symptoms of SARS are a fever over 100.4 F, dry cough, sore throat, problems breathing, shortness of breath, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, malaise, night sweats, night chills, confusion, rash, and/or diarrhea.
There are a few treatment options for this disease although there is no confirmation whether or not any of them work. To reduce lung swelling, antiviral medications and steroids can be administered. If necessary, supplemental oxygen or a ventilator may be prescribed. In severe cases, blood from plasma may be administered from someone who has already recovered from SARS.
A few ways to prevent being infected with SARS is to wash hands frequently, wear disposable gloves if touching any infected bodily fluids, wear a surgical mask when in the same room as a person with SARS, disinfect surfaces that may have been contaminated with the virus, and wash all personal items, including bedding and utensils, used by a person with SARS. There is no vaccine like the flu shot to prevent SARS.
Statistics for SARS:
-November 2002 through July 2003, a total of 8,098 people worldwide became sick with SARS; 774 died
-Case-fatality rate ranged from 0%-50% depending on age group
This disease connections to all airborne diseases we’ve learned in class. Diseases on our timeline such as measles, influenza, and tuberculosis are all airborne and can be spread by droplets just like SARS can be transmitted.
Historical Events for SARS:
-Since 2004, there have been no known cases of SARS reported anywhere in the world.
-In 2003 The WHO organized an emergency travel advisory about the illness calling it a “global threat”
Added to timeline:
Diseases and The History of Them Among The World
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