Something about SARS

Now every one in the words scare about latest, modern deadly disease SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.)

Following is a snapshot of medical knowledge about SARS the term given to the form of pneumonia that originated is southern Asia and triggered a global health scare.

Q. What are the symptoms of SARS?

A. The main symptoms are similar to flu. High fever (more than 38c, 100.4F). Headache, sore throat, dry cough, muscular stiffness. Some patient’s developed pneumonia. And a number of them swiftly require artificial respiration. The morality rate is about four percent: many of those who die have other health complication. Such as disease or diabetes.

Q. What causes SARS?

A. The likely suspect is a corona virus, a member of the same family as the old virus but an unrelated virus called a paramyxovirus. Which is part of same viral family as the agents. That causes mumps and measles. Has been found in some samples. Some experts speculate the two viruses may work together to make a patient more vulnerable to infection. Incubation is short, between two to seven days. But jet travel means that cases rapidly spared around the world.

Q. How contagious is SARS?

A. One of the biggest unknown at first. It was thought that the infective agent was borne in large droplets and spread only by close contact with a infected person. Who for instance sneezed or coughed, this was because the epidemic was at first limited to hospital staff and relatives of peoples who fell sick.

But a cluster of cases in an apartment block in Hong Kong has bred worries that the virus could also be airborne or waterborne-in other words that is could spread through a water or sewage system or like the flu virus,. Be inhaled in a fine droplet that is hanging in the air.

These fears are being investigated and there is no evidence yet to support them.

Q. What is the treatment for SARS?

A. There is no known cure yet for SARS. Antibiotics have not worked. And an anti-viral drug called ribovirin has disappointing results.

Q. What precautions can be taken?

A. At home or at work, simple hygiene measures are advised. Such as washing ones hand. Corona virus are often spread when as infected person touched a surface. Leaving a virus that can survive for two or three hours: another person picks it up. Who then infects himself by touching his or her nose or mouth?

Keeping windows open and wearing a facemask may help prevention transmission in a SARS “Hotspot” location. Patients with SARS have to be kept in strict isolation. And health care workers and visitors should wear filter masks, goggles. Aprons, head covers and gloves. When in close contact with the patients.

Q. Where did SARS come from?

A. The first case came from to public light in Hanoi on February 26,2003. Involving a 48-year-old American businessman, who was taken ill following a trip to Shanghai and Hong Kong. He was flown back to Hong Kong for treatment but died. There is also evidence that the first identifiable case of SARS surfaced in the city of Foshan, in southern Chinese province the Guangdong. On November 16.2002. On theory is that pathogen mutated in livestock before leaving the species barrier to humans.

Q.What is being done to combat the spread?

A.an international effort to break the epidemic is yielding good results. Says the WHO. A joint initiative to pool the expertise un 11 top labs in 10 countries was launched recently and has already identified the corona virus detect and isolate SARS victims seems to be working well. There are also international guidelines for vetting air travelers with the suspected disease, but the rising toll of infections, notably in Europe, suggest some are slipping through the screening process.

Already SARS toll crossed 150 in China Singapore and Hong Kong itself. The global death toll 63 in China, 36 in Hong Kong, 9 in Canada, 24 in Singapore 12 in Thailand and 6 in Malaysia.

And also reported 152 cases came to light in United States 48 in United Kingdom about 6 in India. Mainly involving people who have traveled in parts of Asia hit by the epidemic.

(Sources: - World health Organization, US centers for disease control, France Pasteur institute.)

VIJAY BARKUR, Qatar.

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