Treatment:

Persons suspected of having SARS should be evaluated immediately by a health care provider, and hospitalized under isolation if they meet the definition of a suspected or probable case.

Treatment may include:

• Antibiotics to treat bacterial causes of atypical pneumonia
• Antiviral medications
• High doses of steroids to reduce lung inflammation
• Oxygen, breathing support (mechanical ventilation), or chest physiotherapy

In some serious cases, blood serum from people who have already recovered from SARS has been given. There is no strong evidence that these treatments work well.

Expectations (prognosis):

As the first wave of SARS began to subside, the death rate proved to have been about 14 or 15 percent of those diagnosed. In people over age 65, the death rate was higher than 50 percent. Many more were sick enough to require mechanical ventilation. And more still were sick enough to require hospitalization in intensive care units.

Intensive public health policies are proving to be effective in controlling outbreaks. Many nations have stopped the epidemic within their own countries. All nations must be vigilant, however, to keep this disease under control. Viruses in the coronavirus family are known for their ability to change (mutate) in order to better spread among humans.

Complications:

• Respiratory failure
• Liver failure
• Heart failure

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you suspect you or someone you have had close contact with has SARS.