Sars

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SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)

SARS (pronounced /sɑːrz/), an acronym for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The disease was first identified in Guangdong province, southern China, in November 2002.

Etymology

The term "SARS" is derived from the disease's full name, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The word "severe" refers to the intensity of the disease, "acute" indicates its sudden onset, "respiratory" pertains to the system of the body it affects, and "syndrome" denotes a group of symptoms that consistently occur together.

Symptoms

SARS typically begins with flu-like signs and symptoms — fever, chills, muscle aches and sometimes diarrhea. After a week, SARS patients may develop a dry cough and have trouble breathing.

Transmission

SARS is primarily spread through droplets that enter the air when someone with the disease coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also spread by touching a surface contaminated by the virus and then touching the face.

Treatment

As of now, there is no specific treatment for SARS. Supportive care, including medication to relieve symptoms, is currently the main course of treatment.

Related Terms

External links

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