SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)

SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. It is a severe pneumonia-like respiratory disease first seen in Southeast Asia in late February 2003. SARS causes a high fever, severe breathing problems and flu-like symptoms. Over 8,000 cases have been reported worldwide. Evidence in Canada to date suggests that less than 10% of those infected with SARS will die from it. In other countries, this number may be higher.

Cause
Scientists have confirmed that a kind of virus called a coronavirus causes SARS. Like sister coronaviruses known to cause the common cold, the virus seems to spread through aerosolized (exhaled) droplets and body secretions from an infected person. You can come into contact with these droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Most cases in Canada have occurred with people who have recently travelled to Asia, health care workers who have cared for SARS patients, and close family members of SARS patients. The incubation period (the amount of time it takes for symptoms to appear after exposure to the virus) is usually 2 to 10 days. The most common period is 3 to 5 days.