SARS-CoV

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a contagious and sometimes fatal

respiratory illness. In China, SARS initially surfaced in November 2002. Within a few
months, SARS spread worldwide, carried by unsuspecting travelers. On the other hand,
a multilateral effort that was coordinated allowed medical personnel to quickly stop the
disease's spread. There have been no documented SARS transmissions worldwide since
2004.

Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscular pains, headaches, and rarely
diarrhea commonly accompany the onset of SARS. Signs and symptoms appear after
roughly a week and include:

 Fever of 100.5 F (38⁰C) or higher

 Dry cough
 Shortness of breath

Causes

The coronavirus family, which also includes the viruses that cause the common
cold, is responsible for SARS. These viruses have never before posed a serious threat to
humans. However, coronaviruses can cause serious illness in animals, which is why
researchers thought the SARS virus may have spread from animals to people. It currently
appears likely that the virus developed into a new strain by evolving from one or more
animal viruses.

How SARS spreads

SARS is one of several respiratory disorders that spread by airborne droplets

produced by coughing, sneezing, or talking by an infected person. Most specialists
believe that intimate human contact, such as attending to someone who has SARS, is the
primary way that SARS spreads. Infected things, such as doorknobs, phone handsets,
and elevator buttons, may potentially transmit the infection.

Risk Factors

In general, people who have had direct, intimate contact with an infected person,
such as family members and healthcare professionals, are often individuals who are most
at risk of contracting SARS.

Complications

Pneumonia is a common complication of SARS, and breathing difficulties can

sometimes get so bad that a mechanical respirator is required. Some instances of SARS
result in death, frequently from respiratory failure. Failure of the heart and liver are further
potential consequences.
Prevention

 Wash your hands. Clean your hands frequently with soap and hot water or use an
alcohol-based hand rub containing at least 60% alcohol.

 Wear disposable gloves. If you have contact with the person's body fluids or feces,
wear disposable gloves. Throw the gloves away immediately after use and wash
your hands thoroughly.

 Wear a surgical mask. When you're in the same room as a person with SARS,
cover your mouth and nose with a surgical mask. Wearing eyeglasses also may offer
some protection.

 Wash personal items. Use soap and hot water to wash the utensils, towels,
bedding and clothing of someone with SARS.

 Disinfect surfaces. Use a household disinfectant to clean any surfaces that may
have been contaminated with sweat, saliva, mucus, vomit, stool or urine. Wear
disposable gloves while you clean and throw the gloves away when you're done.

Diagnosis

When SARS first surfaced, no specific tests were available. Now several
laboratory tests can help detect the virus. But no known transmission of SARS has
occurred anywhere in the world since 2004.

Treatment

Despite a concerted global effort, scientists have yet to find an effective treatment
for SARS. Antibiotic drugs don't work against viruses, and antiviral drugs haven't shown
much benefit.
 MERS-CoV

MERS-CoV refers to a viral respiratory illness Middle East respiratory syndrome

(MERS) that's caused by a coronavirus (CoV), the same family of viruses that can cause
the common cold. MERS-CoV was first reported in Saudi Arabia. Since then, it's been
reported in other countries in the Middle East and in Africa, Europe, Asia and the United
States. Most cases outside of the Middle East have been reported by people who recently
traveled there.

Causes

The majority of human cases of MERS have been spread by persons in hospital
settings, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Trusted Source. Evidence,
however, points to the possibility that dromedary camels might possibly infect people.

The virus does not appear to spread quickly unless there is close contact, such as in a
medical environment.

Researchers are still trying to determine exactly how camels spread this illness. MERS-
CoV has been found in camels in a number of Middle Eastern, African, and South Asian
nations.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of MERS are a fever, a cough, and shortness of
breath. People may also have gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea, nausea, or
vomiting.

Complication

Pneumonia is a common complication. There have also been reports of organ

failure linked with MERS, especially kidney failure.

Risk Factors

The following groups of people are more susceptible to MERS-CoV infection and
complications:

 older adults

 people with health conditions such as diabetes, chronic lung disease, kidney
disease, or cancer

 people with weakened immune systems, such as those receiving chemotherapy

or immunosuppressant medication

Most of those who have died from MERS had preexisting, chronic medical conditions.
Diagnosis

During the appointment, the doctor will ask about symptoms and recent activities,
including travel. To check for an active MERS-CoV infection, a doctor takes a sample
from the person’s respiratory tract. Polymerase chain reaction tests, can confirm the
presence of the virus. Scientists can also tell whether a person has previously had a
MERS-CoV infection by using blood tests to check for antibodies developed to combat
the virus.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of MERS-CoV transmission, health authorities recommend:

 frequently washing the hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at a time

 avoiding undercooked meats and any food prepared in conditions that may not be
hygienic

 washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly

 reporting any suspected cases to local health authorities

 minimizing close contact with anyone who develops an acute respiratory illness
with fever

 wearing a medical mask

 sneezing into a sleeve, flexed elbow, or a tissue, then immediately disposing of it

 seeking immediate medical attention if an acute respiratory illness with a fever

develops within 14 days of returning from travel

Treatment

As the WHO Trusted Source explain, there is no cure or vaccine for MERS, but
vaccines and treatments are currently under development. Healthcare professionals will
work to relieve a person’s symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. People with
severe symptoms may require oxygen therapy, a stay in the intensive care unit, and a
mechanical ventilator to help them breathe.
 Covid-19

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illnesses such as the common
cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome
(MERS). In 2019, a new coronavirus was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak
that originated in China. The virus is known as severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease it causes is called coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19). In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-
19 outbreak a pandemic.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may appear 2 to

14 days after exposure. This time after exposure and before having symptoms is called
the incubation period. You can still spread COVID-19 before you have symptoms (pre-
symptomatic transmission). Common signs and symptoms can include:

 Fever

 Cough

 Tiredness

Early symptoms of COVID-19 may include a loss of taste or smell.

Other symptoms can include:

 Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

 Muscle aches

 Chills

 Sore throat

 Runny nose

 Headache

 Chest pain

 Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

 Nausea

 Vomiting

 Diarrhea

 Rash

Causes

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2,

causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
 The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily among people. Data has shown
that the COVID-19 virus spreads mainly from person to person among those in close
contact (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters). The virus spreads by respiratory droplets
released when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes, breathes, sings or talks. These
droplets can be inhaled or land in the mouth, nose or eyes of a person nearby.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for COVID-19 appear to include:

 Close contact (within 6 feet, or 2 meters) with someone who has COVID-19

 Being coughed or sneezed on by an infected person

Complications

Although most people with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms, the
disease can cause severe medical complications and lead to death in some people. Older
adults or people with existing medical conditions are at greater risk of becoming seriously
ill with COVID-19.

Complications can include:

 Pneumonia and trouble breathing

 Organ failure in several organs

 Heart problems

 A severe lung condition that causes a low amount of oxygen to go through your
bloodstream to your organs (acute respiratory distress syndrome)

 Blood clots

 Acute kidney injury

 Additional viral and bacterial infections

 Swine Flu
The H1N1 flu, commonly known as swine flu, is primarily caused by the H1N1
strain of the flu (influenza) virus. H1N1 is a type of influenza A virus, and H1N1 is one of
several flu virus strains that can cause the seasonal flu. Symptoms of the H1N1 flu are
the same as those of the seasonal flu.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of flu caused by the H1N1 virus are similar to those of
infections caused by other flu strains and can include:

 Fever, but not always

 Chills

 Cough

 Sore throat

 Runny or stuffy nose

 Watery, red eyes

 Body aches

 Headache

 Fatigue

 Diarrhea

 Nausea and vomiting

Causes

Influenza viruses such as H1N1 infect the cells that line your nose, throat and
lungs. The virus enters your body when you inhale contaminated droplets or transfer live
virus from a contaminated surface to your eyes, nose or mouth.

You can't catch swine flu from eating pork.

Risk factors

If you live in or travel to an area where many people are infected with the H1N1
virus, you may be exposed to the virus.

Complications

Influenza complications include:

 Worsening of chronic conditions, such as heart disease and asthma

 Pneumonia

 Neurological signs and symptoms, ranging from confusion to seizures

  Respiratory failure

Prevention

These measures also help prevent the flu and limit its spread:

 Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Use soap and water, or if they're
unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

 Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
Then wash your hands.

 Avoid touching your face. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

 Clean surfaces. Regularly clean often-touched surfaces to prevent spread of

infection from a surface with the virus on it to your body.

 Avoid contact. Stay away from crowds if possible. Avoid anyone who is sick. If
you're at high risk of complications from the flu
 Avian Flu (Bird Flu)

Bird flu is caused by a type of influenza virus that rarely infects humans. More than
a dozen types of bird flu have been identified, including the two strains that have most
recently infected humans — H5N1 and H7N9. When bird flu does strike humans, it can
be deadly.

Outbreaks of bird flu have occurred in Asia, Africa, North America and parts of
Europe. Most people who have developed symptoms of bird flu have had close contact
with sick birds. In a few cases, bird flu has passed from one person to another. Only
sporadic human cases have been reported since 2015.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of bird flu may begin within two to seven days of infection,
depending on the type. In most cases, they resemble those of conventional influenza,
including:

 Cough

 Fever

 Sore throat

 Muscle aches

 Headache

 Shortness of breath

Causes

Bird flu occurs naturally in wild waterfowl and can spread into domestic poultry,
such as chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. The disease is transmitted via contact with
an infected bird's feces, or secretions from its nose, mouth or eyes.

Open-air markets, where eggs and birds are sold in crowded and unsanitary
conditions, are hotbeds of infection and can spread the disease into the wider community.

Risk Factors
The greatest risk factor for bird flu seems to be contact with sick birds or with
surfaces contaminated by their feathers, saliva or droppings. The pattern of human
transmission remains mysterious. In very few instances, bird flu has been transmitted
from one human to another. But unless the virus begins to spread more easily among
people, infected birds present the greatest hazard.

Complications

People with bird flu may develop life-threatening complications, including:

  Pneumonia

 Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

 Respiratory failure

 Kidney dysfunction

 Heart problems

Although bird flu may kill more than half the people it infects, the number of
fatalities is still low because so few people have had bird flu. Fewer than 500 bird flu
deaths have been reported to the World Health Organization since 1997.

Prevention

Bird flu vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration has approved one vaccine to prevent infection
with one strain of H5N1 bird flu virus. This vaccine isn't available to the public, but the
U.S. government is stockpiling it and will distribute it in the event of an outbreak.

This vaccine could be used early in such an outbreak to provide limited protection
until another vaccine — designed to protect against the specific form of the virus causing
the outbreak — is developed and produced. Researchers continue to work on other types
of bird flu vaccines.

Recommendations for travelers

If you're traveling to Southeast Asia or to any region with bird flu outbreaks,
consider these public health recommendations:

 Avoid domesticated birds. If possible, avoid rural areas, small farms and open-air
markets.

 Wash your hands. This is one of the simplest and best ways to prevent infections
of all kinds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent
alcohol when you travel.

 Ask about a flu shot. Before traveling, ask your doctor about a flu shot. It won't
protect you specifically from bird flu, but it may help reduce the risk of simultaneous
infection with bird and human flu viruses.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-
causes/syc-20479963
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262538#treatment
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sars/symptoms-causes/syc-
20351765
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/swine-flu/symptoms-causes/syc-
20378103#:~:text=The%20H1N1%20flu%2C%20commonly%20known,those%20of
%20the%20seasonal%20flu.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bird-flu/symptoms-causes/syc-
20368455