[Test] Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Learn more about coronavirus infections.

SARS first appeared in Asia in 2003. It quickly spread to many countries, including the U.S. More than 8,000 people became ill, and 774 died. In the U.S., the eight people who had confirmed SARS infection had all traveled somewhere with SARS cases.

A quick public health response kept SARS from spreading much in the U.S. There hasn’t been another outbreak since 2003-2004.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) work with federal, state and local agencies to prepare for future SARS outbreaks.

Signs and symptoms

In general, SARS begins with a high fever (temperature greater than 100.4°F). 
Other symptoms include:

  • Headache
  • Overall feeling of discomfort
  • Body aches
  • Mild respiratory symptoms
  • Diarrhea
  • Dry cough (after two to seven days)
  • Pneumonia

How it spreads

The main way that SARS seems to spread is by close person-to-person contact.  SARS spreads easily through respiratory droplets. These droplets can be in the air or on surfaces. They are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 

How to Keep Illness from Spreading

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