Sars

SARS

Meghan McCarthy

Carroll Community College

SARS

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a virus that causes a severe form of pneumonia in humans, with an incubation period of two to seven days (CDC, 2005). At the onset of SARS high fever, chills, head and body aches are most common (CDC, 2005). Some patients experience mild respiratory symptoms, as well as loss of appetite and diarrhea at the beginning of the illness (Johnson, 2011). Older patients at the onset of the illness can experience muscle stiffness, chest pain from coughing, and confusion (Johnson, 2011). Two to seven days into the infection, the patient produces a cough (CDC, 2005). The cough is a dry cough. This cough can lead to hypoxia, and some patients (10-20%) will need mechanical ventilation due to the condition (CDC, 2005). Following these signs and symptoms, the majority or patients will develop the atypical pneumonia.

Pneumonia has descriptions and data surrounding it dating back nearly 3,000 years (ATS, 2010). Community acquired pneumonia is typically (in healthy individuals) caused by microbes such as Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcus) and Hemophilus influenza (ATS, 2010). Pneumonia that is hospital acquired however, is typically a result of highly resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureusm, Klebsiella pneumonia, Psudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli (ATS, 2010). These types of bacterial pneumonia are treated with antibiotics, bronco-dialating treatments, and occasionally suctioning of the lungs.

SARS however is not a bacterial pneumonia, it is a viral pneumonia so antibiotics will not be affective. SARS patients must be quarantined while the virus runs its course so they don’t spread it to others. Patients must be treated with mechanical ventilation to maintain normal oxygen levels. Bronchodialating treatments must be used to lessen the inflammation of the airways. Suctioning of secretions can be used to protect the airway, keeping it open from secretions....