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What do you know about SARS?
Before moving on to the explanation of the illness,
the abbreviation stands for Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome. SARS is the latest
international epidemic creating upheaval and fear
around the world.
This illness is considered to be a deadly
pneumonia virus (disease to the lungs) that
causes your body to deteriorate after being
exposed to it. It does not matter if a person has a
strong immune system or is an athlete, he/she
can still contract SARS.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms will surface within 3 to10 days from
the time of exposure. Here are some of the
symptoms that have been diagnosed as SARS.
Fever of 100.5º F/ >38º C
Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
Dry cough
Muscle pain and fatigue
Severe headaches
How can you be affected by SARS?
SARS is contagious. Face-to-face contact with a
person infected or even if staying with the person at
home or in the hospital, can cause an individual to
develop the virus. SARS can also spread through
coughing or sneezing.
Some potential ways that SARS can spread include,
touching the skin or objects contaminated with
infectious droplets and then touching your month,
nose, or eyes with the same droplets.
Race or ethnic backgrounds are not involved with the
spread of SARS. Anyone can contract the virus.
What happens if you travel to areas or
countries that are affected?
Make sure on your return that
you check your health with a
qualified doctor and monitor
your health for some time.
If the doctor suspects possible
symptoms of SARS, he/she will
recommend strict isolation and
the right steps and medication to
be taken during the 10 days or
more isolation period.
CDC | Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)