Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

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• SARS Overview
• SARS Causes
• SARS Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• SARS Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Medications
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Multimedia
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

SARS Overview

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a life-threatening viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus known as SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). SARS is associated with a flu-like syndrome, which may progress into pneumonia, respiratory failure, and sometimes death. The SARS virus is believed to have originated in the Guangdong Province in southern China and has subsequently spread around the world. China and its surrounding countries have witnessed the greatest numbers of SARS-related cases and death.
 
SARS was first reported in 2002 in Asia and cases were reported until mid-year 2003. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of July 2003, a total of 8437 people worldwide became ill with SARS and 813 died during the outbreak. Illness was reported in more than 30 countries and on 5 continents. Only 8 people in the United States acquired SARS infection, and all of these people had traveled outside of the United States. No deaths due to SARS occurred in the United States.
 
Because of the rapid and unexpected spread of SARS and because little is known about the virus, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the WHO continue to closely monitor the SARS situation. Guidelines and medical information can be found at the CDC and WHO Web sites.