AllRefer Health - Caring for your Well Being  

Home | About | FAQs | Contact Us

AllRefer Channels :: Yellow Pages | Reference | Health  

Diseases & Conditions
Select & Go
 Diet & Nutrition
 Diseases & Conditions 
 Health News
 Injuries & Wounds
 Poisons & Overdoses
 Surgery & Procedures 
 Symptoms Guide
 Special Topics
 Tests & Exams
 Pictures & Images
 Medical Encyclopedia
Google
  Web health.allrefer.com   

You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Alternate Names : SARS


Definition

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a serious form of pneumonia, resulting in acute respiratory distress and sometimes death. It is a dramatic example of how quickly world travel can spread a disease. It is also an example of how quickly a networked health system can respond to an emerging threat.

This contagious respiratory infection was first described on February 26, 2003. SARS was identified as a new disease by World Health Organization (WHO) physician Dr. Carlo Urbani. He diagnosed it in a 48-year-old businessman who had traveled from the Guangdong province of China, through Hong Kong, to Hanoi, Vietnam. The businessman died from the illness. Dr. Urbani subsequently died from SARS on March 29, 2003 at the age of 46.

In the meantime, SARS was spreading, and within 6 weeks of its discovery, it had infected thousands of people around the world, including people in Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, and North and South America. Schools had closed throughout Hong Kong and Singapore. National economies were affected.

The WHO had identified SARS as a global health threat, and issued an unprecedented travel advisory. Daily WHO updates tracked the spread of SARS seven days a week. It wasn't clear whether SARS would become a global pandemic, or would settle into a less aggressive pattern.

The rapid, global public health response helped to stem the spread of the virus, and by June 2003, the epidemic had subsided to the degree that on June 7 the WHO backed off from its daily reports. Nevertheless, even as the number of new cases dwindled, and travel advisories began to be lifted, the sober truth remained: every new case had the potential to spark another outbreak. SARS appears to be here to stay, and to have changed the way that the world responds to infectious diseases in the era of widespread international travel.

Pictures & Images

Lungs
Lungs

Respiratory System
Respiratory System

Jump to a section

Pictures & Images
Definition
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Symptoms & Signs
Prevention
Diagnosis & Tests
Treatment
Expectations or Prognosis
Complications
Calling Your Health Care Provider



Today's Top News Stories

Officials Still Seek Source of Salmonella Outbreak - Jan 09, 2009, 14:00
Almost 400 Americans in 42 states have been sickened.

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 9, 2009 - Jan 09, 2009, 10:05

Americans Consuming More Sugary Beverages - Jan 09, 2009, 12:00
Adults gulping an average of 300 calories every day, study finds.

Garlic as a Cancer Fighter? Maybe Not - Jan 09, 2009, 16:00
Evidence that strong-smelling herb prevents cancer is said to be weak.

Antipsychotics Up Death Risk in Alzheimer's Patients - Jan 09, 2009, 09:00
Long-term study says the drugs should only be used short-term, as last resort.


Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Common Cold

Tests & Exams

ALT
CBC
Chest X-Ray
CPK
LDH
Platelet Count
Thoracic CT
WBC Count






Featured Topics

Alzheimer's Disease

High Blood Pressure

Crohn's Disease

Impotence

Overactive Bladder


ADAM

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2007 AllRefer.com All Rights reserved.
Health Topics: A-Al Am-Az B C-Cj Ck-Cz D E F G H I J K L M N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sl Sm-Sz T U V W X Y Z 0-9
About Us | Help | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us | User Satisfaction Survey | Healthopedia.com
Page Last Updated: 09 Jan, 2009