Clinical features of 22 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS) and synthetic measures for prevention and treatment

Objective To explore the clinical features of SARS and synthetic measures for prevention and treatment.Methods The clinical manifestations,X ray characters,laboratory data and synthetic measures for prevention and treatment of 22 cases in hospital SARS form Feb.,2003 to May,2003 were reviewed.Results 16 cases had close contact history with SARS patients.2 cases had killed animal.The incubation period was from 3 to 12 days.The first symptom of all cases was fever,and 91% was high fever.Other accompanied clinical manifestations included:dyspnea 68%,fatigue 72.7%,systemic pain 27%,headache 50%,diziness 22%,chest pain 31.8%,respiratory catarrhous symptom 13.6%,palpitation 36.4%,diarrhea 18.2%,bloody sputum 9%,chilly sensation 18.2%,sore throat 9%.77% of all cases showed no obvious signs of lung.The features of X ray and CT scan of chest were:single lung focus 36.4%,both lung focuses 63.6%,both lung fields diffuse infiltration shadow 22.7%.2 cases complicated with ARDS.The mortality rate was 4.5%(only 1 case died).72.2% of all cases accepted regular corticosteroid therapy.5 cases accepted non invasive positive pressure ventilation.2 cases accetped invasive mechanical ventilation.No medical worker was infected,no family members of medical workers was infected.There was no cross infection in hospital.Conclusion Reasonable usage of corticosteroid was one of important measures in synthetic treatment scheme.Mechanical ventilation must be used early in severe cases.Standard prevention measures could prevent from infection.