Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS): what is it, symptoms and treatment

Severe acute respiratory syndrome, also known as SARS or SARS (for its acronyms in English), is a type of severe pneumonia that appears in Asia and is easily transmitted from person to person, causing symptoms such as fever, headache and malaise. general.

This disease can be caused by the coronavirus (Sars-CoV) or by the H1N1 influenza virus, and must be treated quickly with medical help, as it can rapidly progress to severe respiratory failure, which can cause death. .

Know what symptoms can indicate other types of pneumonia.

main symptoms

The symptoms of SARS are similar to those of the common flu, initially appearing fever above 38ºC, headache, body aches and general malaise. Without embargo, after 5 days in the vicinity, other symptoms arise such as:

• Dry and persistent tones;
• Intense difficulty breathing;
• Wheezing in the pecho;
• Increase in respiratory rate;
• Blue or dark fingers and mouth;
• Loss of appetite;
• night sweating;
• diarrhea.

As it is a rapidly worsening illness, within 10 days after the first signs, severe symptoms of respiratory distress may appear and, for this reason, many people may need to remain hospitalized or in intensive care to receive help from breathing machines.

How to confirm the diagnosis

There is not even a specific exam to identify SARS, and to decide, the diagnosis is carried out mainly on the basis of the symptoms presented and the patient’s history, either or in the contact with other sick people.

Likewise, the doctor can order diagnostic tests such as lung radiography and computerized tomography to evaluate lung health.

How is SARS transmitted

SARS is transmitted in the same way that the common flu, it is said, through contact with the saliva of other infected people, especially during the period when symptoms are manifested.

In this way, to avoid contracting the disease, it is necessary to have hygiene attitudes such as:

• Washing your hands twice when you have contact with infected people or places where these people were found;
• Use protective masks to prevent saliva transmission;
• Avoid sharing utensils with other people;
• Don’t touch your mouth with your eyes in case you try to get your hands on them.

In addition, SARS is also transmitted through kisses, which is why close contact with sick people should be avoided, especially if there is an exchange of saliva.

How is the treatment performed?

The treatment of SARS depends on the severity of the symptoms. For this reason, in case they are light, the person can stay at home, staying at rest, having a balanced diet and drinking water to strengthen the body and fight the disease virus and avoid contact with healthy people, which is not received. the H1N1 flu vaccine.

In addition, analgesic and antipyretic drugs, such as Paracetamol or Dipirone, can be used to alleviate discomfort and facilitate recovery, and the use of antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu, to reduce the viral load and try to control the infection.

On the other hand, in the most serious cases in which breathing is very affected, it may be necessary to remain hospitalized to take the medication directly by the intravenous route and receive help from devices to breathe better.

It includes some home remedies to relieve symptoms during recovery.