severe acute respiratory syndrome

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Explanation of "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome" (SARS)

Definition:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, often shortened to SARS, is a serious illness that affects the lungs and breathing. It started in China in 2003 and can cause high fever, coughing, and difficulty in breathing. In some cases, it can be very dangerous and even lead to death.

Usage Instructions:

• When to use: You can use "SARS" when talking about this specific illness or in discussions about infectious diseases and outbreaks.
• Form: The term is a noun. You would use it as "SARS is a disease that..." or "People infected with SARS may experience..."

Example Sentence:

• "In 2003, SARS spread rapidly across several countries, leading to many public health measures."

Advanced Usage:

• In medical or scientific discussions, you might encounter phrases like "SARS outbreak" or "SARS transmission," which refer to the spread of the disease and how it is passed from person to person.

Word Variants:

• SARS-CoV: This is the virus that causes SARS.
• SARS outbreak: Refers to a sudden increase in the number of cases of SARS in a specific location.

Different Meanings:

• In general English, "severe" means very serious or harsh, and "acute" refers to something that comes on quickly and is intense. However, in the context of "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome," these words specifically describe the seriousness and sudden onset of the respiratory disease.

Synonyms:

• There aren’t direct synonyms for "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome," but in a broader context, you might hear terms like "respiratory illness," "viral pneumonia," or "infectious disease."

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren't specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "SARS," but you might hear general phrases related to health, such as "come down with something" (to become sick) or "battle a disease" (to fight against an illness).

Summary:

SARS is a serious respiratory illness that started in 2003 and can cause severe symptoms.

Academic

Noun

1. a respiratory disease of unknown etiology that apparently originated in mainland China in 2003; characterized by fever and coughing or difficulty breathing or hypoxia; can be fatal

Synonyms

• sars