| Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome |
| SARS is a contagious disease, can be deadly. |
| SARS is a highly contagious form of pneumonia. The illness spreads when someone inhales airborne droplets after an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is also possible that SARS can be spread from touching objects that have become contaminated by people with the disease. Symptoms of SARS include a fever greater than 100.4�F, chills, headache, and body aches. After 2 to 7 days, a person infected with the disease may also develop a dry cough that could result in difficulty breathing. |
| The mechanism of SARS: |
| SARS viruses multiply themself using our body's DNA genetic replication system. Our body can't function normally due to the massive high rate of viral replication. The immune cells in our body try to fight off the viruses. But SARS viruses are powerful, they can produce some chemical substances to kill our immune cells. This virus is a new kind of virus which belongs to a mutated strain and our body cannot recognize it. Antibiotics have not been able to treat viral infection effectively so far. The best effective method is get rid of it ourselves. |
| Viruses can't destroy all the immune cells in a healthy body.The stronger the body in immune function, the less is the chance of viral injury. So,sickness after infection and later complet recovery mainly depends on strong immunity function of our bodies. 1. you avoid those infected individuals and infected areas. 2 Try to boost up your immune function by several times. 3. Make sure you are quite healthy during this period. Even if you are affected, your strong immunity function can keep the viral damage minimum. 4. Stronger immunity function delays the beginning of all harmfull effects from the viral infection. |
| Suggestions: for prevention and protection |
| Until an effective treatment is found out. strengthen your immune function within a short period of time. 1) Antioxidants are chemicals found in foods which can strengthen our immunity system. Strenghthen your immune function by taking antioxidant supplements. Vitamin E 1000 IU per day. Alpha-tocopherol is the biological active form of vitamin E.There are two forms. d-tocopherol and dl-tocopherol. d- is the natural form and dl- is the synthetic form. d- form because it is absorbed faster in our bodies. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 1000 milligram (mg) per day. you can take 2 pieces of citrus fruits a day to get the vitamin C. Beta-carotene, not more than 10000 IU a day Selenium, 200 microgram daily Zinc, not more than 500 milligram (mg) daily Lipoic acid, 50 mg daily Glutathione, 50 mg daily No adverse effects have been reported from the above doses. 2) Green tea contains huge amount of antioxidant flavonoid, catechins.Tomatoes, broccoli or fruits and vegetables in red and dark green color contain a huge amount of antioxidant carotenoids, ycopene and carotene. 3) Intense physical activities during this will suppress your immunity function(related to the upper respiratory infection).Instead of intense exercise,light workout regularly helps. 4) Carbohydrate foods(e.g.rice,food concentrated in starch... etc)are the primary food for immune cells. 5) Get enough sleep. Anxiety, depression,and stress suppress your immunity status. 6) Mouth-mask helps, it is very effective to decrease the chance from infection Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. 7) Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If you�re not near soap and water,use an alcohol-based solution. 8) If you or someone close to you develops a fever of 100.4�F or greater and has difficulty breathing,visit your doctor right away. 9) If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with SARS, have your family wear surgical gloves and surgical masks to prevent the disease from spreading. 10) After the symptoms have gone away, people who have been diagnosed with SARS shouldn't go to work or school for about 10 days |
| Updated February 11, 2005 |