|  | Conditions Treatments | Infectious Diseases

Signs & Symptoms of Sars Disease

Sars disease, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, is a contagious respiratory infection that presents a number of symptoms and signs. In 2003, a global outbreak of Sars infected 8,000 people and claimed 800 lives, according to the World Health Organization.

  1. Types of Symptoms

    • Common symptoms of Sars disease include fever, chills, shaking, muscle aches, dry coughing, headaches. Less common symptoms are also possible, such as diarrhea, dizziness, sore throat, runny nose, nausea and vomiting.

    Features

    • The fever that accompanies Sars disease is one of the most distinctive symptoms and usually is higher than 100.4 degrees F or 38 degrees C, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

    Time Frame

    • Signs and symptoms of Sars disease typically develop within two to 10 days after your exposure to the virus, explains the Mayo Clinic. The dry cough normally begins two to seven days after you develop a fever.

    Signs

    • If you have Sars, an X-ray of your chest is likely to reveal signs of pneumonia, such as fluid in your lungs, reports the World Health Organization. Blood tests reveal antibodies to the Sars virus, while a test of nasal secretions typically shows the presence of viral DNA.

    Complications

    • In 10 percent 20 percent of patients, Sars develops into a severe respiratory infection, causing difficult breathing, according to the Mayo Clinic. Heart and liver failure may also develop, causing swelling of your lower extremities or yellowing of your skin and eyes.

Infectious Diseases - Related Articles