sars

[lurker]

Do you know something about sars?

[Doddy]

Sars


Symtoms
Known symtoms are similar to those of 'flu, including high fever, sore throat, a cough,shortness of breath and muscle aches. Experts believe that after infection with Sars the incubation period can be up to 10 days. At present the mortality rate is approximately 4%,however, this may vary depending on the quality of medical care available.

Treatment
There is no vaccine and also no specific antiviral treatment designed to treat Sars.
A cocktail of antiviral and antibiotics appears to be beneficial if treatment is started early.

Causes
Scientists believe it is a Corona virus - a family of viruses well known as a cause of the human cold.The World Health Orginisation believes this is a new strain which has mutated to become more dangerous to humans.

Infection
It is likely that infection takes place through droplets of body fluids produced by sneezing or coughing. The WHO is not ruling out the possibility that it may also be transmitted when people touch objects such as lift buttons.

Further information
This can be found on:-
http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health