Fast Five Quiz: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

The clinical course of SARS generally follows a typical pattern. Stage 1 is an influenza-like prodrome that begins 2-7 days after incubation, lasts 3-7 days, and is characterized by:

• Fever (> 100.4°F [38.3°C])

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Chills

• Myalgias

• Malaise

• Anorexia

Less common features include:

• Sputum production

• Sore throat

• Coryza

• Nausea and vomiting

• Dizziness

• Diarrhea

Stage 2 is the lower respiratory tract phase and is characterized by:

• Dry cough

• Dyspnea

• Progressive hypoxemia (in many cases)

• Respiratory failure that requires mechanical ventilation support (in some cases)

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those seen in SARS, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms, such as malaise and respiratory distress, have also been described in patients with COVID-19. Anosmia, change in taste, and diarrhea may precede the onset of respiratory symptoms in patients with COVID-19. Isolated cases of acute necrotizing encephalitis have also been described in patients with COVID-19.

According to a study of the SARS outbreak in Toronto, Canada, reactive hepatitis is a common complication of SARS-CoV infection; 24% of patients had elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels upon admission, and 69% had raised ALT levels during the subsequent course of their illness. Patients with severe hepatitis had worse clinical outcomes. Liver conditions are also a concern among patients with COVID-19. No fatalities were reported in young children and teenaged patients with SARS during its outbreak.

Read more about the presentation of SARS.

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Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: Michael Stuart Bronze. Fast Five Quiz: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) - Medscape - May 04, 2020.