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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffSARS is caused by a strain of coronavirus, the same family of viruses that cause the common cold. Until now, these viruses have never been particularly virulent in humans, although they can cause severe disease in animals. For that reason, scientists originally thought that the SARS virus might have crossed from animals to humans. It now seems likely, however, that it evolved from one or more animal viruses into a completely new strain.
How SARS spreads
Most respiratory illnesses, including SARS, spread through droplets that enter the air when someone with the disease coughs, sneezes or talks. This type of transmission can occur in two ways:
- Droplets. In droplet transmission, the infected particles are large and can travel only about three feet. To inhale them, you must be face to face with someone who's sick.
- Airborne particles. Because airborne particles are much smaller than droplets, they travel farther and linger longer in the air. As a result, you can become infected even after the person who coughed or sneezed has left the room.
Most experts think SARS spreads mainly through face-to-face contact, but the virus also may be spread on contaminated objects, including doorknobs, telephones and elevator buttons.
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- Stockman LJ, et al. Severe acute respiratory syndrome in children. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 2007;26:68.
