Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

    Sars is a serious respiratory illness with flu like symptoms such as high fever, aching muscles, loss of appetite, and fatigue. The epidemic is thought to have originated in Guangdong, which is a province of southern China.  As of the the middle of April, there have been close to 3300 cases reported, and a total of 150 deaths. Due to the rapid spread of the disease, the statistics change almost daily.   The disease seems to spread by close personal contact and is highly contagious.   The incubation period is said to be two to seven days. There is no known treatment and antibiotics do not seem to help.  The antiviral drug ribavirin may benefit some people.

    The following websites contain information on SARS and steps that have been made to learn more about the disease and treatment:

Center for Disease Control World Health Organization
SARS - Vads Corner Atypical Pneumonia
Public Health Laboratory Service Health Canada Online
University of Maryland Medicine Global Alert
McGill University Health Sciences Library Medline Health Information
Massachusetts Medical Society Online Center for Infectious Disease
Suspected Cases of SARS in the Country Frequently Asked Questions About SARS
How Sars Works Living With Fear of SARS
Questions and Answers on SARS CSEI Emerging Infections
SARS Epidemic  Washington State Department of Health

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Last Updated April 22, 2003
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