Doctor, Doctor...
By Dave Hall
For all you hypochondriacs out there, Dave Hall continues his regular look at a some of the more unusual medical conditions, as well as some you thought you knew all about.
This week: SARS.
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Condition – SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome if you like long-winded names, is a respiratory disease in humans caused by the SARS coronavirus. The famous epidemic between November 2002 and July 2003 put it on the map, with 8,096 cases, 774 deaths and widespread panic. Even the 2003 women’s football world cup was moved from China to the United States as a precaution.
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Contagion – In February 2003 an American businessman travelling from China showed pneumonia-like symptoms on a flight to Singapore. The plane then stopped in Vietnam where the victim died in a hospital. Several of the medical staff who treated him soon developed the same disease despite basic hospital procedures. Basically, it’s pretty easy to spread about.
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| Danger of death – Mortality rates of about 9.6% were reached in the famous outbreak – still pretty serious if you pick it up. |  |
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Incurability? – Antibiotics are ineffective, but treatment of SARS has been largely supportive with antipyretics, supplemental oxygen and ventilatory support as needed.
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Likelihood of getting time off work – You’ll probably be told to get rid of that damn wheezing cough, and sent away for a few weeks to get your breathing back to normal – no bad thing.
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| Brag-ability – You could make out, 28 Days Later style, that you were rushing to escape, handkerchief over mouth, gasping, just making it out by seconds before the doors closed and the country was consumed… but we all know you’d be lying. |
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Overall ridiculousness – Not all that crazy, not man flu', but certainly taken out of all proportion considering the column inches it commanded at the time. |
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More conditions to come soon:
Sick Building Syndrome, Haematodypsia and more.
Find more curious conditions in Doctor Doctor. If you can't wait for the next Doctor Doctor, then why not find a Phunny Phobia to keep you going?
Photo: CDC, USA.
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