Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

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Lungs

Respiratory system

SARS

The hallmark symptoms are fever greater than 100.4 degrees F (38.0 degrees C) and cough, difficulty breathing, or other respiratory symptoms. Symptoms found in more than half of the first 138 patients included (in the order of how commonly they appeared):

• Fever
• Chills and shaking
• Muscle aches
• Cough
• Headache

Less common symptoms include (also in order):

• Dizziness
• Productive cough (sputum)
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea

Your health care provider may hear abnormal lung sounds while listening to the chest with a stethoscope. In most people with SARS, worsening chest X-ray changes, or chest CT changes, show the presence of pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome.

The general tests used in the diagnosis of SARS might include the following:

• Blood clotting tests
• Blood chemistries
  • ALT and CPK are sometimes elevated.
  • LDH levels are often elevated.
  • Sodium and potassium are sometimes low.
• Chest X-ray or chest CT scan
• Complete blood count (CBC)
  • White blood cell (WBC) count may be low.
  • Lymphocyte count may be low.
  • Platelet count may be low.

Much attention was given early in the outbreak to developing a quick, sensitive test for SARS. Specific tests include the PCR test for SARS virus, antibody tests for SARS, and direct SARS virus isolation. All current tests have some limitations.

Review Date: 01/29/2007
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.