Severe acute respiratory syndrome, commonly known as SARS, first appeared in November 2002 in mainland China. This respiratory illness is characterized by fever and cough, much like the flu. While at first the etiological agent was unknown, scientists discovered, through persistent research, that it was a coronavirus. This causative agent created history because it was the first time it was discovered in the human population. This coronavirus has raised many questions among scientists as to why the pathogen causes morbidity and mortality. (Fidler) When a person is infected with the disease, there is normally an incubation period of two to seven days. Once this time has passed, symptoms such as fever, chills and body aches will appear. In about 10 to 20 percent of cases, patients will have diarrhea. Next comes a dry cough and shortness of breath. If the person does not receive medical attention, then it can progress to pneumonia. In case the patient develops pneumonia, the potential risk of death is at stake. These cases are rare, but very young children, people over the age of 65, and those with medical conditions such as diabetes and Immunodeficiency problems are most likely. It is these symptoms caused by SARS that make it such an emotional illness. Since viruses cannot live in the human body if they kill the organism they inhabit, it is relevant that their existence is transmitted from one person to another. This is why the virus causes symptoms such as coughing and sneezing. These ways that our body gets rid of the virus spread viruses to others. When a person comes into contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person, they are at risk of getting sick. According to the middle of the paper, they did this two years ago, which will allow patients to be treated for the disease more quickly and effectively. Works Cited Fidler, David. SARS, governance and globalization of diseases. 2004. New York, New York. Koh, Tommy Plant, Aileen Lee, Eng Hin. Severe acute respiratory syndrome and its impacts. 2003. Singapore. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/factsheet.htm. Georgia. 2003. United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS): Hearing before the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, United States Senate, One Hundred and Eighth Congress, First Session on Threat Status Review severe acute respiratory syndrome. 2003. Washington, D.C..