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Diagnosis and pharmacotherapy of severe acute respiratory syndrome: what have we learnt?

Depts of ¹ Medicine, ² Microbiology, and ³ Diagnostic Radiology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

CORRESPONDENCE: K.W.T. Tsang, Dept of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China. Fax: 852 29049443. E-mail: kwttsang@hku.hk

Keywords: Diagnosis, severe acute respiratory syndrome, treatment

Received: August 4, 2004
Accepted August 9, 2004

Abstract

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.