There was a global outbreak of SARS in 2003. However, there have been no cases of SARS reported since 2004.
This article will cover the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of SARS. It will explain how SARS is different from COVID-19, and highlight that there have been no cases of SARS in 2004.
SARS Symptoms
SARS symptoms usually appear two to seven days after a person is exposed to the virus that causes SARS. The first symptom that most people experience is a high fever. They might also experience chills and rigors (periods of intense shivering). After the fever, many people experience headaches and muscle aches. They generally feel tired and unwell.
About three to seven days after the fever sets in, respiratory symptoms begin. Most often, this starts with a dry cough that is unproductive, meaning it doesn’t bring up mucus. Many people experience shortness of breath, which can lead to low oxygen levels. In addition, people with SARS can experience low platelet counts.
Causes
SARS is caused by a virus called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). A coronavirus is a type of viral infection. Although you may know about coronaviruses because of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, there are a host of other coronaviruses that can make people ill.
SARS-CoV can be spread by respiratory droplets of a person who is infected. These droplets can travel about three feet when a person sneezes or coughs. SARS can also be spread through feces. If another person touches one of these droplets and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth they can contract the virus. After that, symptoms may appear two to 10 days later.
Diagnosis
SARS is diagnosed through testing that looks for the SAR-CoV virus. This can be done using nasal, throat, or rectal swabs.
Treatment
SARS must be treated in a hospital. The patient should be put in isolation, to reduce the risk of passing the infection to anyone else.
In the hospital, people with SARS can be treated with:
Antiviral medications to fight the SARS-CoV virusAntibiotics to fight secondary bacterial infections like pneumoniaSteroids to reduce lung swellingBreathing support, including ventilators or supplemental oxygen
Prognosis
During the 2003 SARS outbreak, 8,098 people became infected with SARS around the globe. Of these, 774 died. Only eight confirmed SARS diagnoses have been made in the United States.
Summary
“SARS” stands for “severe acute respiratory syndrome.” SARS is an illness caused by the SARS-CoV virus. Symptoms include a high fever, body aches, feeling unwell, and respiratory symptoms including a dry cough and shortness of breath. No cases of SARS have been detected globally since 2004.
A Word From Verywell
It’s extremely unlikely that you or a loved one has SARS. No cases of SARS have been diagnosed globally since 2004. The virus that causes SARS, SARS-CoV, and the virus that causes COVID-19, SAR-CoV-2, are both coronaviruses, but they are different illnesses with different diagnoses and treatment protocols. Anytime you are concerned about respiratory illness, contact your healthcare provider for advice.
