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May 16, 2012
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Medical Author:
Richard L Oehler, MD
Medical Editor:
Wesley W Emmons, MD, FACP
Medical Editor:
Mary L Windle, PharmD
Medical Editor:
Michael Stuart Bronze, MD

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-likesyndrome, 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 CDCand WHOWeb sites.

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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) »

Overview

What is SARS?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory illness that first infected people in parts of Asia, North America, and Europe in late 2002 and early 2003. SARS is caused by a type of coronavirus, a family of viruses that often cause mild to moderate upper respiratory illness, such as the common cold. This virus is known as SARS-CoV.

Experts believe SARS may have first developed in animals because the virus has been found in civets—a catlike wild animal that is eaten as a delicacy in China—and other animals.1 In the first outbreak 8,096 people became sick with SARS and 774 died.2

How is SARS spread?

Like most respiratory illnesses, SARS is spread mainly through contact with infected saliva or droplets from coughing. You cannot get SARS from brief, casual exposure to an infected person, such as passing someone on the street. In general, you need to have cl...

Read the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) »

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a serious, potentially life-threatening viral infection caused by a previously unrecognized virus from the Coronaviridae family.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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