Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, SARS Home Remedies, Treatments and Cures

Also called: SARS

SARS is the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Initial symptoms are flu like and may include: fever, myalgia, lethargy, gastrointestinal symptoms, cough, sore throat and other non-specific symptoms. The only symptom that is common to all patients appears to be a fever above 38 °C (100.4 °F). Shortness of breath may occur later. Symptoms usually appear 2–10 days following exposure, but up to 13 days has been reported. In most cases symptoms appear within 2–3 days. About 10–20% of cases require mechanical ventilation. And some of the common symptoms that were found are headache, body aches, a dry cough and pneumonia, later on. SARS was first reported in Asia in 2003. It spread worldwide over several months before the outbreak ended.

SARS seems to spread mainly by close person-to-person contact. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, they send droplets of mucus or saliva that contain the virus through the air. You could get SARS if the droplets land on your mouth, nose or eyes. Kissing, touching, sharing utensils for eating and drinking, or talking with an infected person can also put you at risk. Frequently washing your hands with soap and water might help prevent infection if you travel to countries with SARS. There is no treatment for SARS. Scientists are testing treatments and vaccines.