Description SARS
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral disease that first appeared in November 2002 in the Chinese province of Guang dong. There were there many cases of atypical pneumonia(inflammation of the lungs caused by viruses, chlamydia, legionella, which has different symptoms than typical bacterial pneumonia). At the same time in this troubled region increased incidence of avian flu (H5N1), and so was the prime suspect The cause of the pneumonia. Only after a few months as the culprit identified a new virus from the Coronavirus family (coronavirus) underestimation of disease severity But meanwhile, the virus has spread to 29 countries on all continents. Within two years, several thousand people have been infected and about 10% of them died. For several years now there has been no new case, which does not guarantee that it will not reappear.
Identified known coronavirus SARS-CoV (Human pneumonia-associated coronavirus, human coronavirus associated with pneumonia) is very different from all known human coronaviruses which cause slight infections of the respiratory system (mild respiratory infections), and the digestive system. It is believed that the virus passed to humans from civet cat (small beast Paguma larvata).
The virus is transmitted by droplet path (like common flu and other respiratory diseases). The most sensitive organism gateway to the eyes, mucous membranes in the mouth and nose. Most virus is transmitted in hospitals (transfer of patient-patient, patient-staff) in a plane (enclosed space with ideal conditions for transmission of droplet infection). Perhaps it is also the fecal-oral route. Afterinfection, the incubation period (the time between infection and the first clinical manifestation) 2-10 days. Most infectious patient around the tenth day (the period of the greatest amount of virus in the body).
The worst prognosis of a disease in elderly or debilitated individuals (a substantial proportion of deaths falls into this category).
Risk factors for SARS
It is believed that the first farmers were infected animals (civet cat) in China who have contracted to care for animals and not when they are eaten. The most vulnerable group was the medical staff and patients in facilities where the patients were hospitalized (nosocomial spread of the disease).Furthermore, the risk stay with the patients in a convenient environment for the spread of the virus.This fulfills an environment with a high concentration of people in a small enclosed space(such as cinema, theater, aircraft, work environment). Risk are also possible routes to the areas with a larger number of diseases.
Likely to disappearance of the disease in humans is currently the only risk is likely to work with animals (civet) from which the virus to humans crossed, and work in laboratories where the virus samples kept for research.
Preventing SARS
Prevention is early detection of infected persons and their urgent treatment and isolation.Fighting against the spread of the active search for persons who come into contact with an infected person to contact and their prevention to Quarantine. It is necessary to practice good personal hygiene, especially hand. If he again broke pandemic disease, so it is important to prevent transmission of hiking. This includes travel restrictions in vulnerable areas with the presence of the virus and checking passengers returning from these areas. As a guideline for the suspected disease is confirmed stay here in the presence of the virus, symptoms of respiratory infection and fever.
In 2004, a vaccine was developed. At that time, SARS has disappeared, so its efficiency on a wider range of patients has not been practically tested.
symptoms of SARS
The disease is characterized by its rapid progression. It begins like most other atypical pneumonia and the signs can not be clearly diagnosed. The most important thing here is history (confirmed contact, or even just suspected contact with an infected person, or stay in an area with confirmed occurrence of the disease).
Disease begins prodromal symptoms (second to seventh day of infection). These include fever accompanied by chills and rigors, muscle pain (myalgia), fatigue and not very serious breathing difficulty with cough. Sometimes it can be present watery diarrhea.
At the time of the full outbreak (eighth to twelfth day) is present very severe debilitating dry cough. Further, the present severe dyspnea (respiratory insufficiency), which in some cases leads to hypoxia (lack of oxygen in tissues). This sometimes leads to the need to use artificial ventilation.Rarely occurs runny nose and sore throat.
For children, the progression of the disease usually mild early stage, with complete recovery. Course and prognosis worsens with concomitant disability other disease. These are mainly individuals with weakened immune disorders, heart disease, respiratory disease and diabetes (diabetes mellitus).Prognosis is very poor in the elderly, where the highest mortality rate.
Lung X-ray shows only sometimes pathological. Better results can be achieved using a CT examination, where the absolute majority of cases, uncover painting atypical pneumonia.
Diagnostically unfavorable situation in the elderly, where most of the symptoms may be absent. The disease can only take place under the picture of weakness and fatigue.
treatment of SARS
As the drug of first choice is used antiviral (Ribavirin) in combination with corticosteroids (methylprednisolone). Good effect also have interferons. To improve the delivery of oxygen to tissues is the use of oxygen therapy (inhalation of air with a greater proportion of oxygen than atmospheric air) or direct mechanical ventilation.
How can I help myself
The patient should undergo isolation, already at a reasonable suspicion of infection to wear a face mask when necessary motion before hospitalization to prevent further spread of the virus. During treatment is needed bed rest. It is necessary to minimize risk of infection with other diseases.It is very necessary to strict adherence to personal hygiene. It can limit the spread of the virus, but it is primarily to protect the patient from bacteria itself, which could, along with a weakened immune system leading to infections, septic complications and death.
complications of SARS
Severe respiratory insufficiency leading to hypoxia (lack of oxygen in tissues) gradually leads to permanent organ damage. First, they damaged organs most sensitive to lack of oxygen, such as heart muscle, and kidney. Sometimes it is necessary hospitalization in intensive care unit (ICU) with artificial ventilation. The most serious complication is death. The cause of death is acute myocardial infarction (acute MI, acute myocardial infarction), severe dyspnoea, decompensation concomitant diseases, immune decomposition (severe lymphocytopenia or lack of white blood cells, leukocytes) and consequent septic shock (sepsis).
Other names: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Serious Acute Respiratory Syndrome