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Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome or SARS is a type of virus called coronavirus. It causes flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. SARS can be life-threatening in some people, and it spreads from person to person through close contact or common surfaces like towels or utensils. Although SARS can’t be prevented, most people have a low risk of contracting it. Prevention, early detection, and proper care are crucial for recovery from SARS. Early symptoms include fatigue and fever that won’t go away with rest or medication. If you think you might have contracted SARS or are at high risk of infection, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Signs and SARS Symptoms
SARS causes a high fever and general weakness, followed by a dry cough. The cough may be so severe that the patient may have difficulty breathing. The patient may also have muscle aches and pains, headaches, and sometimes a general feeling of discomfort. The patient may have a non-productive cough with no sputum or mucus. The SARS symptoms usually appear 2 to 7 days after exposure to the virus. There may be symptoms of aching or pain in the muscles, particularly in the legs and abdomen. Other common SARS symptoms include sweating, shivering, headache, nausea or vomiting, anxiety, and extreme tiredness.
Causes of Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
The cause of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome is an infection with SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), a type of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that usually cause mild illnesses, such as a cold. SARS-CoV is believed to have originated in bats, and infected civet cats may have been the source of human infections in Asia. SARS-CoV was first identified in civet cats in southern China. It is believed that SARS-CoV was in the air of the civet cat cages, and people exposed to the atmosphere there became infected. SARS-CoV spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes, causing droplets to get into the air where other people can breathe in the virus.
The Incubation Period of Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome(SARS)
The incubation period is between exposure to the SARS virus and the onset of this transmissible disease’s first signs and symptoms. The incubation period of SARS is usually 2-7 days but may be as short as one day or as long as ten days.
Risk Factors for SARS
Anyone can become infected with SARS, but people in certain situations are at a higher risk. Risk factors include living or travelling in areas with outbreaks of SARS; being in the healthcare industry, particularly working in a hospital or emergency room where infections can spread quickly; and having pre-existing medical conditions, such as a weakened immune system. People with weakened immune systems may be more vulnerable to severe illness from SARS. These people may include HIV-positive people, have diabetes, take regular steroid medication, have a chronic lung disease like cystic fibrosis, have a recent organ transplant, or have a condition requiring long-term intravenous feeding. People with weaker immune systems are also more likely to develop serious complications from SARS.
Diagnosis of SARS Symptoms
SARS symptoms are what lead to a patient’s diagnosis, and travel history and exposure to others who have SARS are also considered. A blood test can rule out bacterial pneumonia, and the doctor may order a chest X-ray or imaging studies to check for infection. Once confirmed, the doctor will check your blood to see if you are immune to SARS, and this can help the doctor decide whether to prescribe antiviral drugs.
Treatment for SARS
There is no vaccine to prevent SARS. Early detection and proper care are crucial for recovery. The first step is resting and drinking plenty of fluids. Patients have also been prescribed a course of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. SARS patients are isolated to prevent the spread of the infection. Hospital staff wear protective gear while contacting SARS patients, including masks and gowns. The SARS virus is killed by disinfectants used for cleaning surfaces and healthcare workers’ hands.
The Prognosis for Recovery From SARS
The severe acute respiratory distress syndrome is a serious but treatable infection. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent a SARS infection from becoming serious. Most people who become ill with SARS recover completely, but some people may have long-term or permanent health problems, even after treatment. There are no specific factors that indicate how severe the illness may be. The extent of the disease may depend on the person’s age, general health, how quickly they are diagnosed, how much virus they were exposed to, and how well they were able to fight off the infection.
Conclusion:
The severe acute respiratory distress syndrome is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection that spreads through contact with air droplets. Early detection and proper care are crucial for recovery from SARS. The risk of contracting SARS is low, but those at a higher risk should take extra precautions to prevent infection. If you think you may have contracted SARS, seek medical attention promptly.
