SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

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SARSSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome

• By Emily Heninger
• Intro to Biomedical Research
• NSA, 2nd session, 2003

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Where did SARS originate?

• 1st case person visits Hong Kong (February
  20-25, 2003) and develops dry cough and fever
  hospitalized directly infected 21 possible SARS
  patients
• 4 more designated super spreaders receive the
  disease from either visiting another or staying
  in the same room as a SARS patient
• Possible cause of SARS scientists have
  discovered a previously unrecognized coronavirus
  in SARS patients
• Coronavirus A genus of pleomorphic viruses
  which look like coronas or halos when viewed with
  a microscope. It is the single genus of the
  family Coronaviridae. Members of Coronavirus
  cause hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) in
  mice, gastroenteritis (inflammation of the
  digestive system) in pigs, and respiratory
  infections in birds and people.

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Facts and Figures

• By April 30 this year, 201 probable cases and 722
  suspect cases had been reported
• Probable cases
• Age range 4-90 years
• Median age 36 years
• 66 female 34 male
• 81 Singaporean, 8 Filipino, 5 Chinese, 3
  Indonesian, 2 Malaysian, 1 Indian

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SARS Symptoms

• Begins with 100.4oF (38.0oC) fever or higher
• Headache
• Body aches
• Overall feelings of discomfort
• Some people may experience mild respiratory
  discomfort
• Dry cough and trouble breathing may develop after
  2-7 days

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Prevention Measures

• Limit SARS patients to one hospital
  (TTSH/Communicable Disease Center, Singapore)
  all staff are required to take temperature checks
  twice a day
• All health-care workers required to wear gloves,
  goggles, gowns, and respirators
• Mandatory 10-day quarantine for all who have been
  exposed to SARS cases
• Warnings posted to travelers heading in areas
  where SARS has been identified

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Bibliography

• Basic Information About SARS. http//www.cdc.gov/n
  cidod/sars/factsheet.htm
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
  http//www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5218a1.
  htm