Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a type of atypical pneumonia. It is very contagious. SARS spreads by airborne droplets coughed up by people who have been infected. The infection needs close contact. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and dry cough. Severe cases may have respiratory distress (difficulty breathing). The first case occurred in Guangdong, China in November 2002, and it quickly spread to become a major epidemic. During November 2002-August 2003, 29 countries reported 8422 clinically diagnosed cases and 916 patients died. The average mortality rate of is around 10%, There is no specific treatment for the diseases. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing complications.
How is Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) treated in practice?