SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS)
Definition
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a contagious and sometimes fatal respiratory
illness. SARS first appeared in China in November 2002. Within a few months, SARS spread
worldwide, carried by unsuspecting travelers.
It is cause by coronavirus, or another possibility is a paramyxovirus. SARS showed how
quickly infection can spread in a highly mobile and interconnected world. The SARS
epidemic also demonstrated that international cooperation among health experts can
effectively contain the spread of the disease. Since 2004, known instances of SARS
transmission have fallen to zero worldwide.
Incubation Period
WHO has reviewed estimates of the incubation period of SARS, using individual case data.
On the basis of this review, WHO continues to conclude that the current best estimate of the
maximum incubation period is 10 days.
Symptoms
SARS typically begins with flu-like signs and symptoms — fever, chills, muscle aches and
occasionally diarrhea. After about a week, signs and symptoms include:
Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher
Dry cough
Shortness of breath
Causes
SARS is caused by a strain of coronavirus, the same family of viruses that causes the
common cold. Until now, these viruses have never been particularly dangerous in humans,
although they can cause severe disease in animals. For that reason, scientists originally
thought that the SARS virus might have crossed from animals to humans. It now seems
likely that it evolved from one or more animal viruses into a completely new strain.
Treatment
Antibiotics are ineffective as SARS is a viral disease. Treatment of SARS so far has been
largely supportive with antipyretics, supplemental oxygen and ventilatory support as
needed.
Prevention
Researchers are working on several types of vaccines for SARS, but none has been tested in
humans. If SARS infections resume, follow these safety guidelines if you're caring for an
infected person:
Wash your hands. Clean your hands frequently with soap and hot water or use an
alcohol-based hand rub containing at least 60 percent alcohol.
Wear disposable gloves. If you have contact with the person's body fluids or feces,
wear disposable gloves. Throw the gloves away immediately after use and wash your
hands thoroughly.
Wear a surgical mask. When you're in the same room as a person with SARS, cover
your mouth and nose with a surgical mask. Wearing eye glasses also may offer some
protection.
Wash personal items. Use soap and hot water to wash the utensils, towels, bedding
and clothing of someone with SARS.
Disinfect surfaces. Use a household disinfectant to clean any surfaces that may
have been contaminated with sweat, saliva, mucus, vomit, stool or urine. Wear disposable
gloves while you clean and throw the gloves away when you're done.
SWINE FLU (H1N1 FLU)
Definition
The respiratory infection popularly known as swine flu is caused by an influenza virus first
recognized in spring 2009, near the end of the usual Northern Hemisphere flu season.
The new virus, 2009 H1N1, spreads quickly and easily. A few months after the first cases
were reported, rates of confirmed H1N1-related illness were increasing in almost all parts
of the world. As a result, the World Health Organization declared the infection a global
pandemic. That official designation remained in place for more than a year.
Technically, the term "swine flu" refers to influenza in pigs. Occasionally, pigs transmit
influenza viruses to people, mainly hog farm workers and veterinarians. Less often,
someone infected occupationally passes the infection to others. You can't catch swine flu
from eating pork.
Incubation Period
Swine flu symptoms develop three to five days after you're exposed to the virus and
continue for about eight days, starting one day before you get sick and continuing until
you've recovered.
Symptoms
Swine flu symptoms in humans are similar to those of infection with other flu strains:
Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Body aches
Headache
Chills
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Causes
Influenza viruses infect the cells lining your nose, throat and lungs. The virus enters your
body when you inhale contaminated droplets or transfer live virus from a contaminated
surface to your eyes, nose or mouth on your hand.
Treatment
Most cases of flu, including H1N1 flu, need no treatment other than symptom relief. If you
have a chronic respiratory disease, your doctor may prescribe additional medication to
decrease inflammation, open your airways and help clear lung secretions.
The antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) can reduce the severity
of symptoms, but flu viruses can develop resistance to them. To make development of
resistance less likely and maintain supplies of these drugs for those who need them most,
antivirals are reserved for people at high risk of complications.
Prevention
Stay home if you're sick. If you do have swine flu, you can give it to others starting
about 24 hours before you develop symptoms and ending about seven days later.
Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Use soap and water, or if they're
unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Flu viruses can survive for two hours or
longer on surfaces, such as doorknobs and countertops.
Contain your coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze
or cough. To avoid contaminating your hands, cough or sneeze into a tissue or into the
inner crook of your elbow.
Avoid contact. Stay away from crowds if possible.
Reduce exposure within your household. If a member of your household has
swine flu, designate one other household member to be responsible for the ill person's
close personal care.
