Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is becoming a new global threat

22 September, 2012

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) as a new global health threat. SARS is becoming a perfect example of how quickly world travel can spread diseases and how quickly the connected health systems can respond to such health threats.

SEVERE ACUTE Respiratory Syndrome is a respiratory problem caused by corona virus. This virus is also known as SARS-associated corona virus (SARS-CoV). It was first identified in 2002 and is a contagious disease, and spreads from individual to individual through respiratory droplets. This disease is drawing international attention due to its rapid transmission and high mortality rate. The health officials are working to track the illness globally.

The risk factor for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome can be staying in close association with the person who is affected with SARS-CoV. The people who are over the age of fifty, pregnant women, and the persons infected with heart diseases, liver diseases and diabetes can also be a risk factor for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

The symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome begin with two to fourteen days after being affected by the virus. The characteristic symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome are high fever, breathing difficulty, cough and mild respiratory symptoms. Some other symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome are headache, other respiratory symptoms, body aches, other feelings of discomfort, body aches, dizziness and diarrhea.

The individual who is suspected to be infected with SARS, should be isolated from other patients. The treatments of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome are usually a supportive therapy. The current treatment for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome are using the medications in combination, the patient can be given high dose of steroids to reduce the inflammation in the lungs and sometimes mechanical ventilation can also be used.

Initially, the medications used for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome was an antibiotic but it was of no use. But after detecting that it was a viral disease, antiviral medication was used. The antiviral drugs are used in combination with corticosteroids. The alternative medications for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome are herbal medicines used for treating infections and some homeopathic medicines are also used. But these are not yet proven in treating Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.