A patient with SARS being admitted

What is that itch you have had in your throat recently? Does your cough occur mysteriously after watching the Six O'clock news? Don’t worry because it is unlikely that your cough is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, and even if it is, it is much more likely that you will be successfully treated and survive.

Though this virus has rapidly become widespread, it does not pose the threat that the media hype would indicate. So far, approximately 8000 cases have been detected since November 2002 when the first case was detected, and out of those cases approximately 7400 have been successfully treated.

SARS was first discovered in Guangdong Province in China and it is primarily localized in China, parts of Taiwan and Europe and Canada. Though it is true that SARS has been labeled an Epidemic by the World Health Organization, approximately 60 cases have been found in the U.S., and those discovered have been in patients who recently traveled abroad. The scare really lies in the origin of the virus as that information is currently unknown. 

Many theories have been produced on the possible cause of the coronavirus SARS. Some think that the environment where the first cases were discovered, a market place where wild game is bought and sold and there is frequent human-animal contact, was conducive to the transmission of the disease from animal to human. Also in certain regions and cultures in China rare game is considered a delicacy and is often served in restaurants. However a question that remains to be unanswered is why the virus was only recently uncovered, and rapidly after its discovery it became an epidemic. Some religious theorists propose that this virus is a punishment from God on the Chinese people for not releasing the holy land of Tibet to its native people. This claim is neither here nor there to medical researchers who still persistently search for the reason for the mysterious surfacing of SARS in animals and consequently in humans. This information is essential to discovering how to completely terminate its continued spread.

Since last November, 2002, when the first cases were discovered, the Center for Disease Control has joined the World Health Organization in battling the spread of the Virus from its original location. They have dispatched over 300 medical experts, epidemiologists and specialists to aid in on-site investigations. Also in an attempt to educate the public on how to protect themselves, they have provided guidelines for precaution against infection from the disease which are posted on the Center for Disease Control website. The World Health Organization is continuously updating their website with statistics on new found cases and the death toll which has been slowly conceding. Their combined efforts have been effective in gaining control over the outbreak, as well as educating the public on safety precautions which is the first step in preventing its continued spread.

In the mean time symptoms to look for among you and your loved ones just in case are fevers above 100.4 accompanied by a respiratory cough. Other symptoms are body aches, headaches or general body discomfort. If these symptoms are detected contact your health care provider, and make sure to mention if you have recently traveled outside the country, this will aid them in their diagnoses. Patients with SARS need to be contained and treated immediately as the virus can be contagious merely by close contact. Anything ranging from living with someone infected with SARS to touching their skin, or coming in contact with infected respiratory excretions, can put you at risk for infection. To take precaution use disinfectant soap when washing your hands, and also thoroughly clean surface areas that you come in contact with frequently such as kitchen counter tops, door knobs and banisters with a disinfectant cleaner to prevent the spread of bacteria.