SARS/MERS Flashcards
What does SARS stand for?
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
What microorganism causes SARS?
SARS-CoV (SARS coronavirus)
At what temperature does SARS-CoV grow?
37 degrees Celsius
What temperature did coronaviruses grow prior to 2002 (before SARS)?
less than 37 degrees Celsius
What illness does SARS-CoV cause?
Pneumonia
What are the symptoms of SARS?
early: fever/chills, headache, malaise, rigor
late: cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing (severe ➞ 20-30% of patients require intensive care)
~25% also get diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
What is the mortality rate of SARS?
9.6% due to respiratory failure or multi-organ failure, generally from direct viral damage to pneumocytes
What populations were at risk for contracting SARS?
people over 65 yrs old and pregnant women (NOT CHILDREN UNDER 10)
How is SARS transmitted?
Inhalation and possibly ingestion
When and where did SARS emerge?
Foshan, China in 2002
Of the initial infections, what profession had the most cases?
Health care workers (105/305)
What animals are linked to the spread of SARS?
horseshoe bats (ultimate source), civets, 1 raccoon dog
How did SARS likely come to infect humans?
horseshoe bat virus ➞ virus mutates ➞ civet virus ➞ virus mutates again ➞ human virus
What is a possible, but less likely explanation, for how SARS-CoV infects humans?
bat virus ➞ mutation ➞ humans ➞ civets ➞ humans
What does MERS-CoV stand for?
Middle Easter Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
