Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

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SARS Diagnosis & Tests

Your health care provider may hear abnormal lung sounds while listening to the chest with a stethoscope. In most people with SARS, progressive chest X-ray changes or chest CT changes demonstrate the presence of pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome.

The general tests used in the diagnosis of SARS might include the following:

• A chest X-ray or chest CT scan
• A complete blood count (CBC)
  • White blood cell (WBC) count may be low.
  • Lymphocyte count may be low.
  • Platelet count may be low.
• Blood clotting tests
• Blood chemistries
  • LDH levels are often elevated.
  • ALT and CPK are sometimes elevated.
  • Sodium and potassium are sometimes low.

Much attention was given early in the outbreak to developing a quick, sensitive test for SARS. Specific tests for the SARS virus include the PCR test for SARS virus, antibody tests to SARS (such as ELISA or IFA), and direct SARS virus isolation. All current tests have some limitations.