Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

So far no conclusive results about the etiological agent of SARS. In Canada, China and the United States, indentificaram laboratory tests for viruses of the families Paramyxoviridae and Coranaviridae, and M. pneumoniae and metapneumovirus, in patients with SARS. On March 24, the CDC reported that their laboratories have isolated a novel coronavirus in Vero E6 cells in clinical samples from two patients suspected of SARS, Thailand and Hong Kong.
Treatment
Various drugs have been used for treatment of SARS, however, none has been recommended for the prophylaxis or treatment. Antibiotics have not shown efficacy. An appropriate supportive treatment in ICU is indicated where relevant. As a result of good supportive care, some patients in Hanoi have passed the critical state to regulate.

What has been recommended to prevent transmission of SARS in hospitals and at home? Patients suspected of having SARS should be isolated? How should they be managed patients with SARS?

Suspected cases should be hospitalized in isolated units, with private bathroom. It is recommended that health care workers and visitors wear masks efficient filters, goggles, aprons, gloves and hat (respiratory and mucous barriers) when in close contact with the patient.

To minimize the potential transmission outside the hospital setting, patients with SARS should limit interactions outside the home until they know better the mechanism of disease transmission. We recommend placing surgical masks on patients during transport and at home.
Transmission
It is difficult to establish exactly how SARS is transmitted, because the results of the investigations are still preliminary. It is known that no person to person transmission, requiring close contact with infected people. The contact with aerosols, respiratory secretions and body fluids of an infected person seem to be important. Most cases have occurred in hospital workers who treated patients with SARS and close relatives of patients. Hence, the amount of the infectious agent necessary to cause infection. The SARS seems to be less infectious influenza.