Emergence of the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) as a Pandemic

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). In general, SARS begins with a high fever (temperature greater than 38.0ºC). Other symptoms may include headache, feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some people might also have mild respiratory symptoms in the beginning. About 10 to 20 % of patients also complain of loose stools/ diarrhea. After 2 to 7 days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough. The majority of the patients develop pneumonia. The case- fatality rate among humans with SARS is approximately 10- 15 %. The main mode of the spread of SARS is by close person-to-person contact. The virus that causes SARS is said to be transmitted by respiratory droplets (droplet spread) produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes in public. Droplet spread when the droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person have propelled a short distance (Up to an area of 3 feet) through the air and deposited on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes of persons who are within this area. (3 feet) The virus also can spread when a person touches a surface or object contaminated with these infectious droplets and then touches his mouth, nose, or eye (s). In addition, it is possible that the SARS virus might spread more broadly through the air (airborne spread) or by other ways that are not known yet. As of now, there is no known effective treatment against SARS