SARS is the short term for severe acute respiratory syndrome and the disease is caused by the SARS virus. In fact, the condition can easily be transmitted from one person to another, and between 2002 and 2003 the disease became pandemic in Hong Kong when many people died because of SARS. However, cases of SARS were diagnosed all over the world, in 2003 cases of SARS being found in more than 37 countries. Although SARS is not considered to be a threat any longer, the disease can always return.

The most important issue with SARS diagnoses and which makes the condition hard to be found is that, at first, it has symptoms which are similar to the ones of simple flu. The most common symptoms for SARS include fever, cough, sore throat, but there are also some other symptoms that can be manifested in different cases. Still, the most common symptom for SARS remains the high fever, of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or even higher. Sexual or causal contact with a person who has formed SARS is a way in which the disease can be spread, so the best method to prevent the forming of this condition is going to be avoiding entering into contact which infected people or traveling in the areas in which numerous cases of SARS have been diagnosed. Such areas include parts of China and Vietnam. However, today, the threat of forming SARS, if you visit such locations, is very much reduced.

The treatment of SARS is considered to be difficult, so, this is how it can be explained the fact that people died after forming this condition. When it comes to SARS, antibiotics are considered to be inefficient. Treatment schemes can be very complex and they can include antipyretics, supplemental oxygen and ventilation support. Individuals who are diagnosed with SARS are isolated, as the condition is well known to be easily transmitted from one individual to another, being highly contagious. In most cases, patients require artificial ventilation. Anyway, many people who have been diagnosed with the severe acute respiratory syndrome, have also suffered from major depressive disorder after managing to overcome the disease, this being considered a consequence of SARS.