Hippokratia 2004, 8(3):107-111
G. Ilonidis
4th Medical Dpt, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Abstract
The atypical pneumonia, named by WHO Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is discussed in detail. After the appearance of SARS and its rapid spread, there was a world -wide medical reaction, which in a very short period of time resulted in the isolation of the causative agent which appeared to be a corona -virus.
Virus transmission is quite easy through the respiratory droplets, that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, as well as by the direct contact with infected person’s body fluids. High fever, shivering, cough, general malaise, dyspnoea and severe hypoxaemia are the basic symptoms of the disease.
Diagnosis of SARS is based on the haematological, biochemical and immunological findings. The pulmonary infiltrations are common in chest X-ray. The sign of ground glass picture is common in pulmonary Computerized Tomography (CT). Taking of preventive measures in combination to the patient isolation are the most effective measures for facing the disease. The use of antivirus drugs has shown ambiguous effectiveness. The antibiotics are administered only when the possibility of microbial superinfection is evident.