Flu Pandemics »
SARS and Avian flu
SARS
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness
caused by a corona virus, called SARS-associated corona virus (SARS-CoV).
SARS was first reported in Asia in February 2003. Over the next few
months, the illness spread to more than two dozen countries in North
America, South America, Europe, and Asia before the SARS global outbreak
of 2003 was contained.
Symptoms of SARS
In general, SARS begins with a high fever (temperature greater than
100.4°F [>38.0°C]). Other symptoms may include headache,
an overall feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some people also have
mild respiratory symptoms at the outset. About 10 percent to 20 percent
of patients have diarrhea. After 2 to 7 days, SARS patients may develop
a dry cough. Most patients develop pneumonia.
How SARS spreads
The main way that SARS seems to spread is by close person-to-person
contact. The virus that causes SARS is thought to be transmitted most
readily by respiratory droplets (droplet spread) produced when an infected
person coughs or sneezes. Droplet spread can happen when droplets from
the cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled a short distance
(generally up to 3 feet) through the air and deposited on the mucous
membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes of persons who are nearby. The
virus also can spread when a person touches a surface or object contaminated
with infectious droplets and then touches his or her 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 now known.
Avian Flu
Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses.
These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide
carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from
them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make
some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very
sick and kill them.
Avian flu mostly affects the birds whereas SARS is confines to humans.
Both these ailments are extremely fatal by nature.
