choose an infectious disease (which your professor approves), and detail: its or
ID: 127763 • Letter: C
Question
choose an infectious disease (which your professor approves), and detail:
its origin (SARS # severe acute respiratory syndrom)
the pathogenesis/microbiologic classification of the bacteria/microorganism
occurrences of the disease
diverse populations affected by this disease
incubation period
period of communicability
methods used for diagnosis
treatment including antimicrobials
any applicable laboratory testing used to detect immunity
epidemiological markers for this bacteria in outbreak investigations if applicable
is it reportable to the CDC/WHO – why or why not?
recommendations to decrease its prevalence
Explanation / Answer
SARS: Severe acute respiratory syndrome - Viral pulmonary infections
A world wide SARS identified in a unique risk group - previously in healthy persons. The majority of clients identfied SARS were adults in the 25 to 75 year old age who are previously healthy. Few suspected cases of SARS were reported in children 15 years of age. The organism, a coronavirus, was also previously known.
The incubation period for SARS is typically 2 to 7 days.
The illness begins generally with a prodrome of fever (temp >100.4 degree F) that is sometime associated with chils, rigors, headache, diarrhea, malaise, myalgia. Ocassional mild respiratory manisfestations are noted.
After 3 to 7 days, a lower respiratory phase begins with the onset of a dry, nonproductive cough or dyspnea, which can progress to hypoxemia. The case fatality rate among persons with illness meeting the current WHO case definition of SARS is approximately 3%.
As condition progresses, chest radiographs show focal interstitial infiltrates progressing to more genaralized, patchy, interstitial infiltrates.
In the last stages, chest radiograph has shown areas of consolidation.
Laboratory tests reveal leukopenia and thrombocytopenia or low normal platelets count.
The severity of SARS ranges from miln illness to death.
Treatment regimens have included several antibiotics to presumtively treat known bacterial agents of atypical pneumonia. In several locations, therapy also has invluded antiviral agent such as oseltamivir or ribavirin. Steriods are also administered orally or IV to clients in combination with ribavirin and other antimicrobials. At present, the most efficacious treatment regimen, if any, is unknown.
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