Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to review the history, epidemiology, aetiology, clinical presentation and management of SARS. SARS is a transmissible acute infectious disease produced by a corona virus totally new to humans (SARS-CoV). The disease appeared in China and from there disseminated in a few weeks to several areas of the world, causing thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths, with a total mortality of almost 10%. For this reason the WHO ordered the immediate notification of cases and the implementation of measures to contain or prevent the global, local and intra-hospital transmission. Initially the disease was epidemiological and clinical; appearence within 10 days of an epidemiological risk factor, close contact with a person with suspected or possible SARS, travel to an area affected, and clinically a flu-like disease with fever followed by a respiratory phase that can be complicated by severe respiratory failure. In this phase it is noteworthy the absence of pulmonary signs and florid radiographic changes. Leucopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocitopenia, elevation of LDH, creatine-kinase and alanine aminotransferase as well as diturbances in coagulation can be seen. The diagnosis of SARS-CoV is confirmed by RT-PCR and antibody detection. It´s management is empirical and consists in the use of anti-virals, oseltamivir, ribavirin and steroids, with varying results. Commentary: SARS is a severe disease that has given the worlds population several lessons and losses.