What is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS?
SARS is an illness of currently unknown etiology that presents with influenza-like symptoms including fever, myalgias, headache, sore throat, non-productive cough, and sometimes pneumonia by chest x-ray. Some patients with SARS (currently estimated at 10-20%) have developed more severe signs and symptoms, such as shortness of breath, hypoxia, and respiratory distress requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Thrombocytopenia and leukopenia have also been reported. To date, there is no evidence linking avian influenza (H5N1) to SARS. However, in several cases, initial laboratory investigation has identified virus belonging to the paramyxoviridae family.
