Clinical descriptions of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

WHO coordinated virtual conference (http://www.who.int/csr/sars/cliniciansconference/en/) On 26 March 80 clinicians from 13 countries participated in an electronic “grand rounds” on clinical features and treatment for patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) (1). Their discussion, organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) network of clinicians focused on features of the disease at presentation, treatment and progression of the disease, prognostic indicators and discharge criteria. No therapy demonstrated any particular effectiveness. Clinicians agreed that a subset of SARS patients, perhaps 10%, decline and need mechanical assistance to breathe. These patients often have other illnesses which complicates their care, and in this group, mortality is high.