SARS

SARS
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Introduction
SARS is an acronym for severe acute respiratory syndrome. This is a viral disease that affects human being`s respiratory system and is caused by the SARS coronavirus. SARS spread very after the first instance had been reported and the disease almost became a virulent disease thus attracting a lot of international attention. The spread of SARS was successfully contained by June 2003 though not completely eradicated. The disease originated from the animal population and it is believed that the disease could still be present in its natural form in the animal population. The fatality of the disease is more among the older population as compared to the younger population. When the disease was first reported, researchers noted that there were some people who were very efficient at spreading the disease. This group of people can be called super-spreaders (Escors, Camafeita, Ortego, Laude and Enjuanes, 2002). When the first case of SARS was detected in Hong Kong, several high schools were closed and health care providers were forced to stay in hospitals so as to prevent the disease from spreading to their family members. Some nurses died in the process of trying to care for the SARS patients. However, there is no clear explanation that ravels the reason and circumstances behind super-spreaders who were able to spread the disease very fast.
Structure and Morphology of the Infectious Agent (SARS)
Shape of SARS
The SARS virus features a core of a genetic material which is surrounded by a spherical material which is in turn surrounded by a spherical protein cell. The protein cell is also further covered by an extruding surface of proteins which then create a corona when viewed using an electron microscope as shown in the diagram below.
Source: Journal of Virology Dec 2001: 12228 - 12240Identifying cellular structure of SARS virus
The SARS viruses reproduce in the cytoplasm of cells and then release their genetic material into the cytoplasm where new virus genetic material and virus proteins are produced. The produced components recollect together to form new particles of the virus.
Effects of SARS on Human Physiology
The SARS virus has several effects on human beings. SARS mainly affect human beings` respiratory system. It causes hematological changes in patients. These changes are mostly found in the white blood cells and the bone marrow. The viruses also induce immune complexes and auto-antibodies and then damage the cells. A condition called thrombocytopenia is also experienced by SARS patient. This involves damage to the lungs and increases the consumption of white blood cells. The SARS viruses also reduce the production of the white blood cells in the lungs. One of the most common effects of SARS is immunodeficiency which is the consumption of disease fighting organism thus leaving the patient prone to attack from various diseases which could h...