Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or Sars is disease caused by a virus of the coronavirus family, which includes virus causing colds, Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) and of the Covid-19. Sars is considered the first serious communicable disease of the 21st century. It was considered a global threat in March 2003, but first emerged in China in 2002. The disease was quickly controlled thanks to efficient measures of identification and isolation of cases.
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What is severe acute respiratory syndrome?
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a severe respiratory syndrome caused by a coronavirus. The World Health Organization's global alert (WHO) occurred on March 12, 2003 and described it as a pneumonia severe atypical, transmitted from one person to another, no known cause.The first cases occurred in November 2002 in China, and the WHO was notified in February 2003. The disease has spread to several countries, causing the death of about 800 people.
as the disease there is no vaccine or efficient treatment, the way found to stop its transmission was to identify the cases, perform isolation or quarantine and identify the close contacts established between patients. The epidemic was still under control in 2003,with WHO declaring that all SARS outbreaks were contained in the world by July 5th of that year. O virus responsible for the disease has caused no new cases since 2004 and, during the epidemic, it reached 26 countries in about six months.
SARS causative agent
Sars is caused by Sars-CoV virus (Coronavirus associated with SARS), a virus of the coronavirus family, which includes viruses that circulate between people and other animals and stand out because, when viewed under electron microscopy, remember a crown (the word corona, in Latin, means “crown”). Sars-CoV had its genome sequenced in 2003 and showed no relationship with other previously known coronaviruses.
Before the outbreak caused by Sars-CoV, viruses of the coronavirus family were considered to cause only infections light. After Sars-CoV, other coronavirus strains emerged and are associated with severe respiratory failure: Mers-CoV and Sars-CoV-2.
Sars Transmission
Sarsé transmitted through the direct contact of respiratory droplets, expelled by the patient when coughing, sneezing and talking, with the mucous membranes, such as mouth, nose and eyes. The virus can be also broadcast over the air and indirectly through the contact with surfaces contaminated. A healthy individual can become contaminated by touching contaminated objects and, later, putting his hand to his mouth, nose or eyes.
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Symptoms of SARS
Sars-CoV, after contagion, may remain incubated from two to seven days. After this period, the symptoms of the disease appear, which include fever high (above 38°C), chills, ache dand head, muscle pain and malaise.
Respiratory symptoms are initially mild. After about a week, dry cough and shortness of breath, which can be tracked or progressed to low oxygen levels in blood. The worst evolution of the disease is with mechanical ventilation. Most patients with Sars develop pneumonia. The disease presents 9.5% lethality.
Sars treatment
Sars is a viral disease that does not have specific treatment, with only supportive measures, such as hydration and use of respiratory prostheses. The patient's treatment is done in isolation from others to prevent the spread of the disease.
SARS Prevention
Sars, as it is transmitted mainly through contact with particles emitted by the patient when talking, coughing or sneezing, has as a form of prevention avoid direct contact with the patient and always encourage sick people to cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. In addition, it is essential to frequent hand washing with alcohol and soap or use 70% alcohol for cleaning. Health professionals, when treating patients with Sars, must protect themselves by properly using the Personal protective equipment.
Read too: 10 ways to prevent colds and flu
Relationship between Sars and Covid-19
Sars-CoV and Sars-CoV-2 viruses are from the coronavirus family and are responsible for causing severe acute respiratory syndrome. While Sars-CoV causes Sars, Sars-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) triggers Covid-19. Sars-CoV-2 has a lower mortality rate than Sars-CoV, however, a striking difference between them is the fact that the former is more transmissible.
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Respiratory Infections That Can Become A Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Some respiratory infections can worsen and become a severe acute respiratory syndrome, this being the case with skin infections. H1N1 and Sars-CoV-2. According to the Ministry of Health, severe acute respiratory syndrome is considered to be the "individual with flu syndrome who presents: dyspnea/respiratory discomfort or persistent pressure in the chest or O saturation2 less than 95% in ambient air or bluish coloring of the lips or face”.
Per flu syndrome, the Ministry of Health understands that the individual with "acute respiratory condition, characterized by at least two (2) of the following signs and symptoms: fever (even if referred), chills, sore throat, headache, cough, runny nose, olfactory disorders or taste disorders”.
After the start of pandemic of Covid-19 in 2020, cases of acute respiratory syndrome increased abruptly. It is noteworthy, however, that not all cases of the syndrome are explained by Sars-CoV-2 infection, as, as mentioned, other respiratory infections can trigger the problem. The increase in the number of unexplained cases, however, may indicate underreporting of fatal victims as a result of Covid-19.
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/doencas/sindrome-respiratoria-aguda-grave-sars.htm