- What is severe acute respiratory syndrome?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome is a new infectious disease that began in November 2002 in Guangdong, China, and spread to Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, and other parts of the world within just a few months. This is a disease that occurs when SARS-coronavirus invades the human respiratory system. It is classified as No. 1 infectious disease by law in Korea.
- Cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome
The causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome is SARS-coronavirus. The route of infection has not been precisely determined but may be due to saliva droplets. SARS is spread through respiratory droplets when a person coughs, sneezes or speaks.
- Symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome
Severe acute respiratory syndrome has an incubation period of about 2 ~ 10 days, followed by a sudden onset of high fever of 38°C or higher, followed by cough, difficulty breathing, fever, malaise, myalgia, pain headache, chills, etc. Fever is the most common symptom but may also be absent initially. 90% of infected people recover easily within a week, but for the elderly and people with chronic diseases, the disease can become severe.
During the second week of onset, it is not uncommon for upper respiratory symptoms such as a runny nose or sore throat to appear. Severely ill patients experience rapid respiratory failure, and about 10% of patients develop hypoxia requiring intensive care. Many patients also have symptoms of watery diarrhea without blood or mucus. Infection occurs mainly during the second week of incubation.
- Diagnosis and treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome
Patients need to do basic tests such as blood tests, chest X-ray, sputum and stool tests. To test for antibodies to SARS-coronavirus, an enzyme immunoassay can be performed. However, it is not until the 21st day after symptoms appear that it can be confirmed whether the patient tested positive or not.
There is no specific treatment for severe acute respiratory syndrome, only treatment to relieve symptoms such as difficulty breathing and hypoxia.
- Monitor and take note of this syndrome
About 80 ~ 90% of patients improve after 6 ~ 7 days from symptom onset. About 10% of patients develop worsening symptoms. Acute respiratory distress syndrome can progress negatively to the point where the patient requires mechanical ventilation. The mortality rate of this syndrome is about 14 ~ 15%.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome is not yet prevented by vaccine. It is only recommended to wash hands thoroughly to prevent infection from direct contact. Since 2008, there have been no SARS risk areas or travel restrictions globally. However, if a place with a risk of infection is warned, it is necessary to limit visiting and traveling to that place.
