Every year millions of people are stricken with some form of illness. It could be a cold, the flu, or, some other, serious infection. In today’s society no on one really thinks about the problems that we face in the future of medicine. If one gets sick they automatically go to the doctor’s office. Then they ask for antibiotics, not knowing that they could get over this without them. The doctor’s try to warn their patients but it sometimes does not work. The risk that so many faces deal with this unknown reality is that they are now venerable to illnesses and not be able to be cured.

In the Asian continents there has been a mysterious illness or in better words a severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS, as it has become to be called, that has erupted through out the Guangdong Province (China) Hanoi (Vietnam) and Hong Kong. Reports of the disease have been reported in china and far as Canada and some in the U.S. November of 2002 when a flu like illness started to sicken people, It was said to have been hushed away and covered up until March of 2003, when it started to affect thousands.

Even as Chinese officials revealed that their outbreak had widened, they insisted it was under control. Since the beginning of March, this disease has been brought under control,'' Health Minister Zhang Wenkang said in an interview on state television. He said eighty percent of those diagnosed with SARS have recovered. The death toll has also risen from a dozen to forty-six as world health has reported. These numbers are just in china but world wide over seventy-eight people have died and 2,200 have been believed to be stricken with the SARS, according to the world heath organization.

There is no known cure for this virus. According to the WHO (World Health Organization) “there is no medicine to treat this illness, and scientist still have not confirmed which virus causes it. The WHO health investigators believe Guangdong offers valuable clues to the disease.

From pictures and reports some could determine that this is very serious because everyone who is living in an area that is suspected of being infected. They are wearing mask to keep down the possibility of spreading. It seems that it would be necessary to do so it would be less likely to catch this serious but deadly disease. It is said to be spread by close contact between people, anyone who is sick with SARS coughs droplets into the air and others breath it in and that SARS is air borne or if you touch something that has been contaminated by someone with the illness.

Symptoms that you should be aware of and try to avoid, symptoms begin with a fever that is greater than 100.4 F other symptoms that SARS may include are a headache, an overall feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some people have had symptoms that include mild respiratory symptoms. SARS patients may develop a dry cough and have trouble breathing after two or seven days. Those who are at risk with SARS are those who have had close contact with someone with SARS or caring for a patient. The CDC says there is no community spread at this time and they will keep a close eye on the situation The mask will only to reduce the spreading there are guidelines that can be followed to follow.

If you think someone with has been infected with this disease then you are to consult a physician as soon as possible, cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. Also wear a surgical mask if you have one, this will help reduce the cough droplets in the air. Follow the directions that your physician gives you, limit your activities do not do anything in this ten day period thus meaning do not go to work, school, or any public areas. Wash your hands often and very well especially after blowing your nose and coughing. Wear mask while in close spaces like your household and when around a lot of people and others wear masks when they are around someone infected. Do not share silver wear towels or bedding with anyone in your home until these items have been washed with soap and hot water. Clean surfaces that have been contaminated by body fluids from the SARS patient and wear disposable gloves when cleaning. And throw away after done. Follow these instructions for ten days after your fever and respiratory symptoms have gone away.