How does COVID-19 differ from SARS?
• COVID-19 (SARS –COV 2)and SARS ((SAS COV)
are similar in many ways. For example, both:
• are respiratory illnesses caused by corona
viruses
• are transmitted by respiratory droplets
produced when a person with the virus
coughs or sneezes or by contact with objects
or surfaces containing the virus
• have similar stability in the air and on various
surfacescan lead to potentially serious illness,
sometimes requiring oxygen or mechanical
ventilationcan have worseningTrusted Source
symptoms later on in the illnesshave similar
at-risk groups, such as older adults and those
with underlying health conditions
• COVID-19 and SARS are both caused by coronaviruses.
The viruses that cause these illnesses likely originated
in animals before they were transmitted to humans by
an intermediate host.
• There are many similarities between COVID-19 and
SARS. However, there are also important differences.
COVID-19 cases can range from mild to severe, while
SARS cases, in general, were more severe. But SARS-
CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is transmitted
more easily.
• There are also some differences in the symptoms of
the two illnesses.
How SARS spreads
• Most respiratory illnesses, including SARS,
spread through droplets that enter the air when
someone with the disease coughs, sneezes or
talks.
• Most experts think SARS spreads mainly
through close personal contact, such as caring
for someone with SARS.
• The virus may also be spread on contaminated
objects — such as doorknobs, telephones and
elevator buttons.
PREVENTION
• Wash your hands. Clean your hands frequently with soap and hot water or use an
alcohol-based hand rub containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Wear disposable gloves. If you have contact with the person's body fluids or feces,
wear disposable gloves. Throw the gloves away immediately after use and wash
your hands thoroughly.
• Wear a surgical mask. When you're in the same room as a person with SARS, cover
your mouth and nose with a surgical mask. Wearing eyeglasses also may offer
some protection.
• Wash personal items. Use soap and hot water to wash the utensils, towels,
bedding and clothing of someone with SARS.
• Disinfect surfaces. Use a household disinfectant to clean any surfaces that may
have been contaminated with sweat, saliva, mucus, vomit, stool or urine. Wear
disposable gloves while you clean and throw the gloves away when you're done.
•avoiding touching the eyes, mouth, and nose with
unclean hands
•covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when
coughing or sneezing
•avoiding sharing food, drinks, and utensils
staying at least 3 feet away from other people
regularly cleaning surfaces with disinfectant
Takeaway
A SARS outbreak occurred in 2002–2003. It resulted from
SARS-CoV, a corona virus related to the virus responsible
for the current COVID-19 pandemic.
When the outbreak occurred, health authorities acted
quickly and were able to prevent widespread disease. Since
2004, there have been no recorded cases of SARS
anywhere in the world.
There is currently no cure for SARS and no vaccine against
SARS-CoV, but scientists have continued to investigate.