yowkee essential

While some of us have becoming insensible to SARS because it is a everyday not-surprising news now, it’s still good to learn more about this virus instead of over react to those SARS news.

There is misery of why SARS seem more attackable to age 20-40 youth, and those supposely with strong immune system like doctors, nurses (they deal with virus everyday). Dr Klaus Stohr, the WHO chief scientist for SARS, said the medical study in Hong Kong indicated that over-reaction of immune response, might be the cause of SARS death. As reported at The Straits Times, Singapore, Klaus said:

In the first week…the virus is replicating mainly in the upper respiratory tract, causing high fever and dry cough. But in the second week we see an over-reaction of the immune response, and in 20 per cent of cases that leads to very severe disease

The other report at NewScientist.com on severe immune response kill SARS victim:

An excessive immune reaction appears to be the fatal factor in patients who die of SARS, according to medical data from Hong Kong. The best estimate of the fatality rate of SARS is rising steadily and so understanding how the disease causes death is critical to finding the best treatments.

Scientists have also discovered that the SARS virus can remain viable for at least 24 hours after being deposited in a droplet on a plastic surface - a simulation, for example, of an infected person coughing on to the wall of a lift.

I was wondering why doctors and nurses seem easier to be infected by SARS, they should more used to disease than ordinary people. The hospital is full of disease and working everyday more or less stregthen your immune system. There are people around keep saying strong immune system is the only way to fight to SARS. That isn’t necessary true though it’s a good thing. In contrast, the study of the scientists doesn’t suggest we should maintain a weak immune system.

Further reference:

• SARS Patients Killed By Their Own Immune Response