Description A lot of individuals have gone through SARS. This piece of writing gives a detailed set of information with regards to the subject.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is a respiratory disease that occurs in humans that is derived from contact with the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The transmission of the disease is known to manifestwhen an individual makes close contact with an infected individual. This has been identified as the primary mode in which the infective agent is able to spread from person to person. When contact is made with the exhaled bodily secretion from an infected individual the potential for acquiring the disease increases greatly. The largest sets of infected persons have been determined to be hospital staff members who have taken care of patients with SARS and other close family members of infected patients who may have come in contact with the infective agent. It is still not certain how much of the infective agent is needed to induce an infection. However, it has been discovered that SARS is still less infectious than the more typical influenza virus. The incubation period is fairly brief, it is estimated to range from anywhere between 2-7 days, with 3-5 days being more typical. During the period where SARS was still of highest concern the speed of international travel was thought to play a detrimental role in spreading the infection to many regions all over the world. There have been 8273 cases acknowledged in 16 countries all over the world. Of the amount reported a total number of 775 people succumbed to the disease to date. There is still much to learn about the disease and various research institutions have been doing research on this potentially devastating disease.
Symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
The most pronounced symptoms of SARS will include a high fever of 38 degrees Celsius or more, a dry hacking cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Abnormalities in chest X-rays that will suggest pneumonia, will be apparent. SARS may also be accompanied by other symptoms which will include headache, muscular stiffness, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, disorientation, rash and diarrhoea.
Treatment and Management of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
The first step to treatment will include isolating the patient to avoid further outbreak of the disease. Enforcing stringent respiratory and mucusol barrier nursing is advisable. It is unmistakably essential that any cases that seem to be SARS related are separated from other patients and placed in a private hospital room. Health care employees and visitors should unfailing wear protective filter masks, goggles, aprons, head covers, and gloves when making any kind of close contact with the afflicted individual.
While many medications have been administered, no drug has been definitively established as a prophylaxis (preventive measure) or adequate method of treatment. Antibiotics are fairly useless as these are better suited for bacterial infections not infections of a viral origin. The symptoms of the disease may be treated to increase patient comfort, however this should be done by health care officials who are satisfactorily protected by wearing the necessary precautionary dress.
Control of the Disease
It had been declared that by May 2006, the spread of SARS had been officially contained thanks largely to the efforts of the World Health Organization with the last cases of infection happening in June 2003 . However, SARS is not said to have been eradicated. It may still exist in its natural domicile, specifically in animal populations and may unfortunately re-appear in human populations in the future.