SARS, not a drink, but an epidemic
Just as a can of Sarsaparilla will bubble and spread unless handled carefully, so will SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). That’s why travellers are restricting their flights to South East Asia; they’re fearful of catching this frequently fatal disease. In one Asian locality, a quarter of those dying are the health professionals attempting to save the lives of other SARS patients.
The infection is due to a mutant virus, which, like many other human pathogenic viruses, appears to have developed in an animal source before spreading to humans. The frightening aspects of this infection are its severity, its high mortality rate and the lack of immunity in the population. It appears to spread by direct contact, by inhaling droplets containing the virus from an infected person’s breath, from those same droplets dried for days on tables, doorknobs and other surfaces, as well as through exposed sewage.
For these reasons health authorities, governments, and individual citizens are clamouring for early reporting of symptoms, so suspected patients can be isolated, diagnosed and provided with supportive treatment until the infection is controlled in the individual. Like most viral infections affecting the respiratory system, SARS causes coughs, fever, headache, bodily aches and pains. It can rapidly progress to life-threatening lung and heart problems, which need intensive care therapy.
Measures introduced in Hong Kong during April 2003 reduced new cases to less than 20 per day. These measures included encouraging early presentation at hospital, quarantining SARS patients, tracing and quarantining contacts of patients, and monitoring and restricting travel of contacts. These measures will work in any community.
Influenza vaccines give no protection, as this is not an influenza virus. Eating well and looking after your health may be beneficial, but nowhere as useful as avoiding contact with SARS-infected people and following the public health measures outlined. Early reporting of severe illness can protect not just the patient, but those they love, and the wider community. No-one appears to have immunity to this virus.
Already “snake oil” web pages are promoting SARS protection through herbal and vitamin preparations despite a lack of research. Research published in Lancet (May, 2003) shows the best protection comes from the public health measures listed. So if SARS comes to your part of the world, cooperation with health authorities is essential for the health of everyone.
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