The dreaded SARS virus is making its way across the globe at breakneck speed in terms of disease. The thought that it is possibly only a matter of time before the virus enters India, is uppermost on a lot of peoples mind, even though we hope advances in medicine prove us wrong. Before hitting the panic button, perhaps we should know exactly what we are up against, and what we can do for our safety. In this articleWhat is SARS?Is there any cure?What are the symptoms?How contagious is it?PrecautionsWhat should you do if a family member gets infected with SARS?What is SARS? SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, and as the name suggests, it targets the respiratory system. It is a deadlier form of pneumonia. The mystery virus was only recently identified as the corona virus, a strain of the virus that causes the common cold. This virus has killed more than 80 people worldwide as of now, and around 2,300 people are currently suffering from the illness.Is there any cure? While SARS is a it does not necessarily culminate in death. Once again, not everyone affected with SARS will die. The United States reported 115 SARS cases, none of which were fatal. Though a cure has not yet been found, patients have recovered from SARS by using regular pneumonia medication and steroids, if they were otherwise in good health. What are the symptoms? Symptoms of SARS include dry cough, high fever (above 100.3 degrees) respiratory problems, and it may also result in diarrhoea and vomiting. As of now you neednt worry if you suddenly start sneezing and coughing, unless the virus has invaded your country, and if it is accompanied by high fever and respiratory strain.How contagious is it? The illness spreads through contact with an infected person, and through contact with his nasal secretions. It also spreads though surface contact. So, if a person has sneezed in his hands and wiped them on a table, you may catch the infection if you touch the same table and then bring your hands to your mouth or nose.Precautions Measures are being taken around the globe to avoid travel to countries inflicted with SARS, notably China, Hong Kong and Canada. Flights are being cancelled, and people are being warned against traveling to these countries unless absolutely essential. Many schools, offices and public places in countries infected with SARS, have shut down as a precautionary measure. As of now, start taking all the precautions you would, to avoid getting a common cold. You could eat a small piece of ginger every day, mixed with honey. This will strengthen your immunity. Do yoga, especially the pranayam and other breathing exercises, to strengthen your lungs and respiratory system. The pranayam is a series of exercises, and we will dwell in detail on those at a later stage. For now, here is one exercise you can practice immediately. Sit up with your spine/back straight. Inhale deeply to the count of 5, and feel the breath going into your system. EXPAND your stomach and your chest while inhaling. Retain the breath as you count to 3 or 5. Exhale, and CONTRACT your stomach and chest, as you push your breath and carbon dioxide out. Excessive use of disinfectants is one of the prime reasons for viruses developing new strains. Just as we get immune to certain viruses and germs, so also do germs develop immunity, and counter the effects of antiseptics and detergents by developing new strains. By using disinfectants we are only curtailing our own immunity, and increasing the immunity of germs by exposing them unnecessarily to disinfectants. Of course, when you are treating a sick person, you should definitely wash your hands with an antiseptic, but on a regular basis, there is no need whatsoever. So for now, lock up all those disinfectant soaps, cleaning liquids and pens (!!) in a cupboard. Use regular, non-antiseptic products as far as possible.What should you do if a family member gets infected with SARS? Make sure the infected person does not step out of the house during the illness, and for 10 days after the symptoms have subsided. (Ten days after a person recovers from SARS, he will no longer be a carrier and will be unable to infect anyone.) Give the patient a separate room and toilet for his sole use. Keep all surfaces clean. Make sure the infected person sneezes in a tissue, which he should then throw in a garbage bin by his bedside. The infected person should wear a surgical mask at home, to avoid infecting other family members. Similarly, other family members could also wear surgical masks as a further precaution. This will also prevent them from accidentally touching their mouths and noses, and inhaling the virus. When treating or touching a SARS patient, especially when coming into contact with his bodily fluids such mucus, vomit or stools, wear disposable gloves. Avoid touching your mouth and nose as far as possible, during this time. Wash your hands often, with soap. Put those household disinfectants to use.
The dreaded SARS virus is making its way across the globe at breakneck speed in terms of disease. The thought that it is possibly only a matter of time before the virus enters India, is uppermost on a lot of people's mind, even though we hope advances in medicine prove us wrong. Before hitting the panic button, perhaps we should know exactly what we are up against, and what we can do for our safety.
SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, and as the name suggests, it targets the respiratory system. It is a deadlier form of pneumonia. The mystery virus was only recently identified as the corona virus, a strain of the virus that causes the common cold. This virus has killed more than 80 people worldwide as of now, and around 2,300 people are currently suffering from the illness.
Is there any cure?
While SARS is a it does not necessarily culminate in death. Once again, not everyone affected with SARS will die. The United States reported 115 SARS cases, none of which were fatal. Though a cure has not yet been found, patients have recovered from SARS by using regular pneumonia medication and steroids, if they were otherwise in good health.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of SARS include dry cough, high fever (above 100.3 degrees) respiratory problems, and it may also result in diarrhoea and vomiting. As of now you needn't worry if you suddenly start sneezing and coughing, unless the virus has invaded your country, and if it is accompanied by high fever and respiratory strain.
How contagious is it?
The illness spreads through contact with an infected person, and through contact with his nasal secretions. It also spreads though surface contact. So, if a person has sneezed in his hands and wiped them on a table, you may catch the infection if you touch the same table and then bring your hands to your mouth or nose.
Precautions
Measures are being taken around the globe to avoid travel to countries inflicted with SARS, notably China, Hong Kong and Canada. Flights are being cancelled, and people are being warned against traveling to these countries unless absolutely essential. Many schools, offices and public places in countries infected with SARS, have shut down as a precautionary measure.
As of now, start taking all the precautions you would, to avoid getting a common cold. You could eat a small piece of ginger every day, mixed with honey. This will strengthen your immunity.
Do yoga, especially the pranayam and other breathing exercises, to strengthen your lungs and respiratory system. The pranayam is a series of exercises, and we will dwell in detail on those at a later stage. For now, here is one exercise you can practice immediately.
Sit up with your spine/back straight.
Inhale deeply to the count of 5, and feel the breath going into your system. EXPAND your stomach and your chest while inhaling.
Retain the breath as you count to 3 or 5.
Exhale, and CONTRACT your stomach and chest, as you push your breath and carbon dioxide out.
Excessive use of disinfectants is one of the prime reasons for viruses developing new strains. Just as we get immune to certain viruses and germs, so also do germs develop immunity, and counter the effects of antiseptics and detergents by developing new strains. By using disinfectants we are only curtailing our own immunity, and increasing the immunity of germs by exposing them unnecessarily to disinfectants. Of course, when you are treating a sick person, you should definitely wash your hands with an antiseptic, but on a regular basis, there is no need whatsoever. So for now, lock up all those disinfectant soaps, cleaning liquids and pens (!!) in a cupboard. Use regular, non-antiseptic products as far as possible.
What should you do if a family member gets infected with SARS?
Make sure the infected person does not step out of the house during the illness, and for 10 days after the symptoms have subsided. (Ten days after a person recovers from SARS, he will no longer be a carrier and will be unable to infect anyone.)
Give the patient a separate room and toilet for his sole use.
Keep all surfaces clean.
Make sure the infected person sneezes in a tissue, which he should then throw in a garbage bin by his bedside.
The infected person should wear a surgical mask at home, to avoid infecting other family members. Similarly, other family members could also wear surgical masks as a further precaution. This will also prevent them from accidentally touching their mouths and noses, and inhaling the virus.
When treating or touching a SARS patient, especially when coming into contact with his bodily fluids such mucus, vomit or stools, wear disposable gloves.
Avoid touching your mouth and nose as far as possible, during this time.
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