Frequently asked questions on the deadly SARS virus<\/p>\n
Reuters, Hong Kong<\/p>\n
A deadly pneumonia-like virus spreading across the world has
\nkilled 62 people and infected more than 1,700 others, mainly in
\nAsia.<\/p>\n
Following are facts about the Severe Acute Respiratory
\nSyndrome (SARS), a type of atypical pneumonia, and what medical
\nexperts are saying about it:<\/p>\n
* What is it?<\/p>\n
Scientists say SARS is caused by a new virus from the family
\nof coronaviruses, which also causes the common cold.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say
\nevidence is mounting that the virus is the primary causative
\nagent, but experts say much laboratory work still needs to be
\ndone to pinpoint its exact characteristics. Development of a
\nvaccine will take years.<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the disease
\noriginated in China's southern province of Guangdong, before
\nspreading to Hong Kong, where it was then carried to Vietnam,
\nSingapore, Canada. Cases have later surfaced in other places
\nincluding the United States, France, Britain, Taiwan and Germany.<\/p>\n
Hong Kong and WHO scientists say the strain likely originated
\nfrom animals although it does not appear anything like any known
\nhuman or animal viruses.<\/p>\n
Health experts in Hong Kong have ruled out any association
\nwith influenza A and B viruses, and also the H5N1 bird-flu virus
\nwhich jumped the species barrier and killed six people in the
\nterritory in 1997, and a man in February.<\/p>\n
SARS is a type of atypical pneumonia, which is usually caused
\nby viruses, such as influenza viruses, adenovirus and other
\nrespiratory viruses, according to Hong Kong health officials.
\nAtypical pneumonia can also be caused by organisms such as
\nLegionella bacteria.<\/p>\n
WHO says there is no indication SARS is linked to
\nbioterrorism.<\/p>\n
* What are the symptoms?<\/p>\n
The WHO says the main symptoms of SARS are high fever, dry
\ncough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties. Changes in
\nchest X-rays, which are indicative of pneumonia, also occur.
\nSARS may be associated with other symptoms, including chills,
\nheadache, muscular stiffness, loss of appetite, malaise,
\nconfusion, rash and diarrhea.<\/p>\n
Health experts say the disease has an incubation period of
\nbetween two and seven days, with three to five days being more
\ncommon, before victims start showing flu-like symptoms.<\/p>\n
* How dangerous is it?<\/p>\n
The mortality rate appears to be between 3 to 5 percent. In
\nHong Kong, at least, those who are infected invariably develop
\nsevere pneumonia, which can cause numerous complications.
\nConditions of victims deteriorate very quickly, in as little as
\nfive days.<\/p>\n
* How are patients treated?<\/p>\n
There is currently no specific cure for the disease. But
\ndoctors worldwide have been treating it with ribavirin -- an
\nanti-viral drug -- and steroids. Doctors say if treated early
\nmost patients without other serious illnesses can recover.<\/p>\n
A top Hong Kong doctor told Reuters in an exclusive interview
\nlate on Monday that some of the worst affected patients in Hong
\nKong were being successfully treated using antibodies in serum
\nfrom recovered patients.<\/p>\n
The presence of antibodies means those who have recovered
\nlikely would have developed some level of immunity against the
\nvirus in the future. But some experts have not ruled out the
\npossibility that a person could be infected again and again.<\/p>\n
* How does it spread?<\/p>\n
WHO and Hong Kong experts say the virus spreads through
\ndroplets by sneezing or coughing and such direct infection can
\nusually occur within a radius of about three feet (one metre).<\/p>\n
The virus can also spread indirectly as it can survive outside
\nof the human body for three to six hours. Contact with any object
\nthat is tainted by droplets containing the virus, for example, a
\ncontaminated phone, could lead to infection if a person then
\ntouches their eyes, nose or mouth.<\/p>\n
Health experts have not ruled out that it could be airborne,
\nwhich dramatically raises the contagious nature of the virus and
\nwould make it far harder to contain.<\/p>\n
* How fast does it spread?<\/p>\n
WHO says SARS appears to be less infectious than influenza,
\nand is not highly contagious when protective measures are used.
\nHong Kong's health chief has said the virus is highly infectious,
\nthough some other medical experts are more cautious about that
\npossibility. Hong Kong officials say it can be killed by a
\nsolution of water and common household bleach.<\/p>\n
* How does the virus travel globally?<\/p>\n
WHO says the speed of international travel creates a risk that
\ncases can spread rapidly around the world.<\/p>\n
When an infected person travels, they can spread the virus to
\nother passengers on their flight and also to people at their
\ndestination. Authorities around Asia are hunting for passengers
\nwho were on about half a dozen flights as they fear that these
\npassengers have been exposed.<\/p>\n
* Who is most likely to be infected?<\/p>\n
Hong Kong experts say the virus is highly concentrated in
\ndischarges such as mucous or phlegm when the victim is very sick
\nand needing hospitalization. Therefore, the virus has tended to
\nspread primarily to health care professionals treating victims or
\nclose family members of victims.<\/p>\n
* How should infected patients be managed?<\/p>\n
WHO says patients should be placed in an isolation unit.
\nHealth care workers and visitors should wear efficient filter
\nmasks, goggles, aprons, head covers, and gloves when in close
\ncontact with the patient.<\/p>\n
* Is it safe to travel?
\n- WHO has not recommended restricting travel to any destination
\nin the world. However, all travelers should be aware of the main
\nsymptoms and signs of SARS. People who have these symptoms and
\nhave been in close contact with a person who has been diagnosed
\nwith SARS, or have a recent history of travel to areas where
\ncases of SARS have been spreading, should seek medical attention
\nand inform health care staff of recent travel.<\/p>\n
Travelers who develop these symptoms are advised not to
\nundertake further travel until fully recovered.<\/p>",
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