Abstract
Background:
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a contagious viral illness first recognized in late 2002. It has now been documented in 26 countries worldwide, with significant outbreaks in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Toronto. Research into identifying the etiological agent, evaluating modes of disease transmission, and treatment options is currently ongoing.
Discussion:
The disease can produce a severe bilateral pneumonia, with progressive hypoxemia. Up to 20% of patients require mechanical ventilatory support, with a fatal outcome occurring in about 5% of cases.
Conclusions:
We review the current knowledge about this disease, with particular emphasis on ICU management and infection control precautions to prevent disease transmission.
MeSH terms
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
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Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
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China / epidemiology
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Combined Modality Therapy
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Communicable Diseases, Emerging / diagnosis*
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Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology
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Communicable Diseases, Emerging / therapy*
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Critical Care / methods*
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control
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Disease Outbreaks / statistics & numerical data
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Hong Kong / epidemiology
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Humans
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Infection Control / methods*
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Ontario / epidemiology
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Respiration, Artificial
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / diagnosis*
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / epidemiology
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / therapy*
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Singapore / epidemiology
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Steroids
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Transportation of Patients
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Treatment Outcome
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents
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Antiviral Agents
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Steroids