Diagnosis and pharmacotherapy of severe acute respiratory syndrome: what have we learnt?
In 2003, the onset of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused worldwide chaos. Although SARS was eradicated by isolation towards the end of 2003, sporadic cases have been reported in Singapore, Taiwan and mainland China. In this review, SARS is discussed as a disease, as well as its diagnosis, management and pharmacotherapy. Respiratory physicians and healthcare professionals have to be aware of advances in the understanding of the diagnosis and management of severe acute respiratory syndrome. More research is required in order to prepare for if this respiratory infection recurs, but there are concerns that adequate pharmaceutical support may be lacking for the development of a vaccine.
Tsang
K W
KW
Dept of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China. kwttsang@hku.hk
Ooi
G C
GC
Ho
P L
PL
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents