The Rediff Special/ What is SARS?
As the world grapples with the dreaded Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, which has has killed more than 100 people and infected 2,750 worldwide since it surfaced in southern China late last year,the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released this set ofanswers to frequently asked questions on the disease. What is SARS? SARS is a respiratory illness that has recently been reported in Asia, North America and Europe. For additional information, check the World Health Organization’sSARS web site or visit other pages on CDC’s SARS web site. What are the symptoms and signs of SARS? The illness usually begins with a fever (measured temperature greater than 100.4F [>38.0C]). The fever is sometimes associated with chills or other symptoms, including headache, general feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some people also experience mild respiratory symptoms at the outset. After 2 to 7 days, SARS patients may develop a dry, nonproductive cough that mightbe accompanied
