[india-drug] THE SARS WEB POSTING

["Dr. Bapna" <jbapna@iihmr.org>]

THE SARS WEB POSTING
---------------------


SARS: APUA website

	The recent epidemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS,
underscores the increasingly global nature of infectious disease and
the need for international public health vigilance. Having emerged in
November 2002 in southern China?s Guangdong province, the deadly
illness has since killed more than 100 patients and afflicted thousands
in Asia, Europe, and North America. 
SARS ? which appears to be caused by a new strain of coronavirus ? also
illustrates the important differences between disease-causing viruses
and bacteria. Viruses are submicroscopic structures that can only
reproduce inside a cell; they are unaffected by antibiotic drugs.
Because most upper respiratory infections such as colds are caused by
viruses, it?s unnecessary (and potentially even harmful) to take
antibiotics for these illnesses.
Bacteria, by contrast, are one-celled living organisms that reproduce
outside of our body?s own cells. Unlike viruses, bacteria can be killed
by antibiotics, which is why bacterial infections are often cured by
these drugs. But when exposed to antibiotics, bacteria may also develop
ways to defy or elude the medications. Indeed, drug-resistant bacteria
? such as those causing tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases, and pneumonia
? are a growing health threat worldwide. APUA is dedicated to
preventing these infections and stopping their spread.
Doctors are currently treating suspected SARS cases with antiviral
agents such as oseltamivir or ribavirin. In some cases, they are also
administering broad-spectrum antibiotics as a precaution in case an
undiagnosed patient?s pneumonia may be caused by disease-causing
bacteria in the lower respiratory tract.  
For more information on SARS: 

	U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/
	World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/
	Department of Health, Hong Kong SAR, China:
http://www.info.gov.hk/dh/ap.htm
	Ministry of Health, Singapore: http://app.moh.gov.sg/new/new01.asp
	Health Canada: 
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/warnings/sars/index.html


With best wishes.
J.S. Bapna, MD, PhD, FAMS
Prof. Health and Pharmaceutical Management
Indian Institute of Health Management Research
1, Prabhu Dayal Marg,  Airport Road
Jaipur - 302 011
Ph: 91-141-2791431 (4 lines) up to  34,  Ext 320, 
Fax: 2792138, Home 2620828






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