What is severe acute respiratory syndrome?
Severe acute respiratory (RES-pir-ah-tor-e) syndrome (SIN-drom) is also known as SARS. This is a condition caused by a virus (germ) that damages the air sacs of the lungs. The lungs are the main organs of the respiratory system. They take oxygen from the air and allow carbon dioxide (gas) to escape from the body. With SARS, the lung tissues become inflamed (swollen) and fibrotic (scarred). The damaged air sacs do not allow oxygen to get into your bloodstream, which may cause respiratory failure. Respiratory failure means you cannot breathe well enough to get oxygen to the cells of your body. It may also cause a loss of function of other body organs. What causes SARS? SARS is believed to have started as a disease of animals in China. Since then, it has spread to humans around the world. The SARS virus is related to other viruses that cause common colds and diarrhea (loose, watery stools). It may be found in saliva, sputum (spit), or discharge from the nose of infected people. The most c
