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---   S A R S  --- SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME
by Dr. A. K. Gupta
MYSTERIOUS  PNEUMONIA
GROUP OF FLUE / INFLUENZA, FEVER , PNEUMONIA – 
DEATHANY ANSWER – ALOPATHY / HOMOEOPATHY etc.?  

 Q. ) What is SARS ?  

Ans. ) SARS is termed for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. It is an enigma since There is a very little knowledge available to the medical world about this condition as yet, as it is a  disease of recent origin. The World Health organization (WHO) and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is an US Government recognized institute in Atlanta, have  released information on SARS. SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), an atypical pneumonia of unknown aetiology, was recognized at the end of February 2003. The WHO is co-ordinating the international investigation with the assistance of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network and is working closely with health authorities in the affected countries to provide epidemiological, clinical and logistical support as required.  

Q.) What Causes SARS ?  

Ans. )Though the exact cause is not known and the Tests have not yet conclusively identified the causative agent of SARS. The possible involvement of an influenza virus was an initial concern. On March 25, CDC announced that its scientists had detected a previously unrecognized coronavirus in 2 patients with SARS. These findings are preliminary and do not provide conclusive evidence that coronavirus is the cause of SARS.  

 Q.) What are Coronaviruses ?  

Ans. ) Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that have a halo or crown-like (corona) appearance when viewed under a microscope. These viruses are a common cause of mild to moderate upper-respiratory illness in humans and are associated with respiratory, gastrointestinal, liver and neurologic disease in animals.

Evidence to suggest that coronaviruses may be linked with SARS:

CDC scientists were able to isolate a virus from the tissues of two patients who had SARS and then used several laboratory methods to characterize the agent.

Examination by electron microscopy revealed that the virus had the distinctive shape and appearance of coronaviruses. Tests of serum specimens from patients with SARS showed that the patients appeared to have recently been infected with this coronavirus. Other tests demonstrated that coronavirus was present in a variety of clinical specimens from patients, including nose and throat swabs.

Q.)  What are the Sign & Symptoms of SARS?  

 Ans.) The main symptoms of SARS are high fever (More than 100° F), dry cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties.The illness begins generally with a fever, and is sometimes associated with chills or other symptoms, including headache, malaise, and body aches. Some persons also experience mild respiratory symptoms at the outset.  

After 3 to 7 days, the person may develop a dry, nonproductive cough that might be accompanied by or progress to the point where insufficient oxygen is getting to the blood. In 10% to 20% of cases, patients will require mechanical ventilation.

Changes in chest X-rays indicative of pneumonia also occur. The symptoms are similar to influenza (flu) and  pneumonia, typical of any virus infection.  

SARS may be associated with other symptoms, including headache, muscular stiffness, loss of appetite, malaise, confusion, rash and diarrhoea. These are as
observed in some patients evaluated by CDC and the WHO.  

Q.) What is the Incubation period for it?  

Ans.) Incubation Period – Though SARS appears to be less infectious than influenza.The incubation period is short, estimated to range from 2-7 days, with 3-5 days being more common, however, isolated reports have suggested an incubation period as long as 10 days. However, the speed of international travel creates a risk that cases can rapidly spread around the world.  

Q.) How far it is contageous & how is it transmitted ?  

Ans. ) SARS is fairly contagious - Transmission of the disease occur-
Based on currently available evidence, close contact with an infected person is needed for the infective agent to spread from one person to another.
Contact with aerosolized (exhaled) droplets and bodily secretions from an infected person appears to be important.

Till date, the majority of cases have occurred in hospital workers who have cared for SARS patients and the close family members of these patients.
However, the amount of the infective agent needed to cause an infection has not yet been determined.  

Q. ) How and when SARS was noted first?  

Ans.) On 26 February, a man was admitted to hospital in Hanoi with high fever, dry cough, myalgia (muscle soreness) and mild sore throat.

Over the next four days he developed increasing breathing difficulties, severe thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and signs of adult respiratory distress syndrome requiring ventilator support.This was the probably  the first case reported of SARS.  

Q.) How is travelling to be made safe ?  

Ans.) International Travellers must take Precautions.This illness can be severe and, due to global travel, has spread to several countries in a relatively short period of time. However, SARS is not highly contagious when protective measures are used, and the percentage of cases that have been fatal is low. WHO has not recommended restricting travel to any destination in the world. However, all travellers should be aware of the main symptoms and signs of SARS, as already mentioned earlier. People who have these symptoms and have been in close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with SARS, or have a recent history of travel to areas where cases of SARS have been spreading, should seek medical attention and inform health care staff of recent travel. Travellers who develop these symptoms are advised not to undertake further travel until fully recovered.  

Q.) What treatment is available for SARS?  

Ans.) Treatment for SARS :

While some medicines have been tried, no drug can, at this time, be recommended for prophylaxis or treatment. Antibiotics do not appear to be effective. Symptoms should be treated by adequately protected health professionals.  

Q.) Can Homoeopathy be effective for the treatment of SARS?  

Ans. ) As Homoeopathy deals with the symptoms of the patient and the remedy selected is not on the name of the disease then certainly the syndrome or the group of symptoms does indicate some homoeopathic remedy. And since the disease is very new in origin or nomencalature & appearance, the precise  comment or opinion on  the efficacy of homoeopathy for SARS is based on the  basis of the capacity of the homoeopathic medicines to handle similar situations. Since it has already noted effect in dealing with condition such as viral infection e.g as influenza or viral pneumonitis. It can be said that surely homoeopathic medicines be effective in treating SARS. As in the past lots of viral infection has shown very encouaging results to treat & cure them e.g. Inflenza, Viral Pneumanitis , Viral Hepatitis , Viral Skin affections as Warts and Herpes etc.

With  the credentials of  the established role of homoeopathy for viral  infection, there is little or no doubt that homoeopathy can help SARS also.  

As no definite medicines in allopathy for SARS or for viral respiratory diseases, except offering ventilators, oxygen  support therapy, antibiotic cover and some non pecific antiviral  medication, it can be well suggested that the homoeopathic medicines are evaluated and incorporated while treating SARS in larger interest of the suffering humanity.  

By:-

Dr.A.K.Gupta
Homoeopathic Consultant
Recipient- "International Dr. Hahnemann Award of the Millennium"
Member- Homoeopathy Advisory Committee Govt. of NCT of Delhi.
Author- The Problem Child and Homoeopathy
Director OVIHAMS
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