Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) By: Alex St.Clair Jeremy Gorby Devyn Caron

What is SARS? Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, also known as SARS, is a serious form of pneumonia. It is caused by a virus that was first identified in 2003. Infection with the SARS virus causes acute respiratory distress (severe breathing difficulty) and can lead to death.

SARS History/Discovery SARS was first discovered in the Guangdong Province in 2003 by Dr. Carlo Urbani, when a man came to him that had traveled through Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Hanoi Vietnam and was feeling ill. After the doctor had diagnosed the man they both died.

History/Discovery cont. The World Health Organization ,(WHO), identified SARS as a global health threat, and issued a travel advisory. WHO updates closely tracked the spread of SARS. It wasn't clear whether SARS would become a global pandemic.

Symptoms Chills and shaking Coughing that usually occurs 2-3 days after other symptoms. Fever greater than 100.4 degrees F Head and Muscle aches Difficulty breathing

Transmission SARS is transmitted through the air, if a person that is infected sneezes or coughs and an uninfected breathes in that air they can get infected. SARS is contracted just like the flu.

Treatment SARS is treated like pneumonia and antibiotics are the most common treatment. High doses of steroids to reduce the swelling in the lungs, victims may also be put on oxygen, breath support, or chest therapy.

Pictures/ videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgBEQZNbGrc

Works Cited SARS Infected areas in the world. N.d. Map. nature.comWeb. 25 Mar 2014. "National Institutes of health." . PubMed Health. Web. 25 Mar 2014.