We may never know for certain where the SARS virus came from, but it likely moved from animals to humans. Lab research shows that SARS can infect a lot of animals, including palm civets that live in China where the 2003 outbreak originated. A civet is a meat eating mammal that has a cat-like looks, but the animal is not a cat. SARS-CoV was also found in the blood of animal handlers. In the 2003 outbreak, in some places outside the United States, a single SARS patient infected many people. …show more content…
CDC (Centers for Disease Control) paired with WHO (World Health Organization) to determine the cause of a pneumonia in Southeast Asia. March 12, this odd disease was given a name, sever acute respiratory syndrome. The symptoms of SARS is similar to flu-like symptoms but overtime can become worse. Common symptoms of SARS are chills, shaking, fever, headache, muscle aches, and coughing. However, when dealing with SARS the cough takes place 2 to 3 days after a person has been infected. Usually with SARS a person will not notice symptoms until 2 to 10 days after coming in contact with the virus. SARS is diagnosed through a CT scan, blood gases, or blood tests. Furthermore, if SARS is not treated early enough it can become severe or possibly deadly. The most common way SARS is spread is through close contact. Close contact is usually kissing, eating after someone who has SARS and/or coming in contact with one’s body fluids who has SARS. When caring for an infected person with SARS be sure to wash your hands with soap and hot water or you could use a hand sanitizer. Wearing gloves is important when handling the body fluids of a person infected with SARS, and also wearing a surgical mask could help. When handling a person’s belongings who is infected with SARS always disinfect as much as you can, also remember to wash their …show more content…
Tracheal intubation is used to keep the airway open so that a person with SARS can breathe since they cannot breathe on their own. Oxygen therapy is used to provide extra oxygen to the lungs. People may also use high doses of steroids to reduce swelling in the lungs; although, people do not know how effective steroids are. Antibiotics are used to treat the bacteria that cause pneumonia one in general is ribavirin. Ribavirin is a purine nucleoside analogue. However, its mechanism of action is still talked about, it prevents the growing of RNA and DNA viruses by inhibiting the enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, which is needed for the synthesis of guanosine triphosphate. The final step in the process of events is lethal mutagenesis of the RNA genome. In vitro inhibition of RSV, influenza viruses and parainfluenza viruses is achieved at ribavirin concentrations of 3-10 mL. Ribavirin can be given by mouth intravenously or as an aerosol. In adults an oral dose of 600 mg slows peak plasma levels of 1.3 mL, and large dose of 1000 mg results in mean concentrations of 24 mL, and the aerosol appears in the plasma at levels of 0.2 to 1 mL. Ribavirin helps treat severe lung infections when inhaled, it also comes in an oral form which is used to treat Hepatitis C. Studies show that when ribavirin was paired with corticosteroids and other steroids it had a few