My Life Monday What do you know about SARS? Before moving on to the explanation of the illness, the abbreviation stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. SARS is the latest international epidemic creating upheaval and fear around the world. This illness is considered to be a deadly pneumonia virus (disease to the lungs) that causes your body to deteriorate after being exposed to it. It does not matter if a person has a strong immune system or is an athlete, he/she can still contract SARS.

What are the symptoms? The symptoms will surface within 3 to10 days from the time of exposure. Here are some of the symptoms that have been diagnosed as SARS. Fever of 100.5º F/ >38º C Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing Dry cough Muscle pain and fatigue Severe headaches

How can you be affected by SARS? SARS is contagious. Face-to-face contact with a person infected or even if staying with the person at home or in the hospital, can cause an individual to develop the virus. SARS can also spread through coughing or sneezing. Some potential ways that SARS can spread include, touching the skin or objects contaminated with infectious droplets and then touching your month, nose, or eyes with the same droplets. Race or ethnic backgrounds are not involved with the spread of SARS. Anyone can contract the virus.

What happens if you travel to areas or countries that are affected? Make sure on your return that you check your health with a qualified doctor and monitor your health for some time. If the doctor suspects possible symptoms of SARS, he/she will recommend strict isolation and the right steps and medication to be taken during the 10 days or more isolation period.

CDC | Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)