Dorothy FarrarSARS (severe acute respiratory distress syndrome)
SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) is an infectious disease that affects the respiratory organs and can lead to atypical pneumonia. The disease can be life-threatening and requires intensive medical inpatient care.
What is SARS?
SARS was first documented in China in 2002. Just a few months later, cases of SARS were reported from another 29 countries. The infectious disease is notifiable and highly contagious. The mortality rate is about ten percent. The pathogen is a coronavirus that was identified by various scientists as the cause of SARS in early 2003.
A mutation of the coronavirus is suspected, which made transmission from animals to humans and infection from person to person possible. The epidemic wave ended as abruptly as it had begun; Already in June 2003, the number of new cases decreased significantly and the WHO officially announced the end of the SARS epidemic at that time.
Causes
Scientists searched for natural pathogen reservoirs of the SARS-causing corona viruses and suspected them in bats and creeping cats, which are widespread especially in Asia and also serve as a food source. When eating the meat infected with the coronavirus, the pathogen could have been transmitted from animals to humans. Human-to-human transmission, on the other hand, takes place via the air (droplet infection).Scientists also suspect a possibility of infection via drinking water or feces. The coronaviruses are viable outside the body for up to 24 hours. The SARS pathogens are excreted several weeks after the infection with the stool has subsided. Only quarantine of the patient and thorough hygiene with disinfectants can curb the spread of SARS if it occurs.
Symptoms and course
Possible signs of SARS:
After a short incubation period of an average of five days, the first typical symptoms of SARS appear. The symptoms are initially similar to those of the flu; In addition to high fever, chills, sore throat, strong, dry cough combined with shortness of breath and shortness of breath occur. In the second phase of SARS, the patient develops a strong general feeling of illness with headaches and body aches, loss of appetite up to confusion and atypical pneumonia. Atypical because pneumonia was caused by viruses and not bacteria. Since the SARS pathogen also attacks the gastrointestinal tract, diarrhoea and, in exceptional cases, organ failure occurs, which is a life-threatening condition.
The course of SARS disease cannot be predicted for patients. It is reported from mild courses to severe forms with fatal outcome. The mortality rate is ten percent. In most cases, symptoms improve after two weeks of intensive care. SARS usually heals completely without permanent damage.
Diagnosis
Since the initial symptoms of SARS are very similar to real flu ( influenza ), in most cases the flu will be diagnosed first. Only the indication of a Only the indication of a recent stay in a distribution area of the SARS disease combined with severe shortness of breath, shortness of breath and an atypical pneumonia usually lead to the suspicion of SARS. X-rays of the lungs show hardly any changes in atypical pneumonia. A computed tomography can confirm the suspicion of SARS. Another clear proof of SARS can be provided by a blood test for the causative virus.
treatment and therapy
SARS is treated symptomatically (relief of the symptoms), because to date there is no drug that acts specifically against the SARS pathogen. Patients are being cared for in the intensive care unit and strictly isolated as the SARS virus is extremely contagious.
The drug treatment consists of a combination of ribavirin, an antiviral drug designed to stop the multiplication of coronaviruses, cortisone to reduce inflammation of the lungs and upper respiratory tract, and broad-spectrum antibiotics, which work against a whole range of bacteria to prevent an additional bacterial infection of the respiratory organs already damaged by the SARS viruses.
In the case of severe shortness of breath, administration of oxygen, mechanical ventilation or chest physiotherapy may be necessary. There have also been trials in which patients were given blood serum from other patients who had already recovered from the disease. The antibodies against the SARS virus should help the acutely ill patient to get over the disease more quickly.
Prevention
There is no medication to prevent infection with the SARS virus. The preventive measures are aimed at not being infected with the pathogen. This includes staying away from the areas where SARS is spread or, if this is not possible, avoiding animal fattening facilities and crowds of people or wearing a nose and mouth protector.Frequent hand washing and strict hygiene in public sanitary facilities are top priorities.
After the outbreak of SARS in 2002/2003 with more than 8000 sufferers, no new cases were reported. In the event of a renewed outbreak of SARS, vaccinations are available, but these are not used prophylactically at the present time, as no current foci of the disease are known.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.