Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). SARS was first reported in Asia in February 2003. Over the next few months, the illness spread to more than two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia before the SARS global outbreak of 2003 was contained.

SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus - the SARS associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) - which can be life-threatening.

How SARS is Spread

SARS, Treatment, Control and Tests

SARS: Tips for Travellers

Long COVID taste loss tied to reduced expression of key taste genes

The study identifies molecular changes in taste receptor cells as a potential cause of persistent taste dysfunction in long COVID-19, impacting quality of life.

5 Mar 2026

Nearly 70 weeks after infection, long COVID patients show no detectable inflammation in blood tests

A controlled Norwegian case-control study examined circulating biomarkers of inflammation and neuronal injury in people with long COVID about 69 weeks after infection. The researchers found no significant differences in systemic inflammatory or neuroinjury markers compared with recovered controls after statistical correction.

4 Mar 2026

High-dose curcumin fails to produce lasting gut microbiome changes in IBD patients

In an open-label study of 29 men, including patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease in remission, 6 g per day of curcumin for eight weeks led to modest, transient shifts in gut microbiota composition without sustained restructuring. Despite achieving high fecal concentrations and minimal systemic bioavailability, curcumin did not produce durable microbiome changes, and disease activity scores remained stable.

2 Mar 2026

COVID-19 ARDS survivors face lasting disability and high late mortality, researchers report

In this single-center ambispective cohort of 283 Polish patients with COVID-19–related ARDS requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, cumulative mortality reached 44.5% at four years after ICU admission. Among survivors, substantial proportions reported persistent functional limitations, insomnia, fatigue, and reduced quality-adjusted life years.

2 Mar 2026

COVID-19 initially reduced asthma attacks but widened socioeconomic disparities, study finds

A large retrospective study of more than 162,000 asthma patients in the Bronx found that asthma exacerbations dropped sharply after the onset of COVID-19 before rebounding in children but remaining lower in adults. Socioeconomic disparities widened during the pandemic, particularly among Medicaid recipients, certain income groups, and patients with documented unmet social needs, while racial and ethnic gaps persisted without significantly expanding.

25 Feb 2026

A common diabetes drug may prevent long COVID when taken early

Research supports metformin's efficacy in reducing long COVID symptoms, suggesting its use in acute COVID-19 cases could alleviate long-term health impacts.

3 Feb 2026

COVID-19 severity is linked to changes in mitochondrial DNA methylation

This study examined mitochondrial and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial DNA methylation in Indian patients with severe COVID-19 and found region-specific differential methylation linked to disease severity. Pathway analyses and protein assays implicated disrupted mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics, suggesting a role for mitochondrial epigenetic regulation in COVID-19 pathophysiology.

20 Jan 2026

How pandemic viruses spread across U.S. cities before anyone notices

Researchers reconstruct the spatial spread of pandemic respiratory viruses across metropolitan areas throughout the United States

12 Jan 2026

COVID-19 immunity stays specific and barely boosts protection against common cold coronaviruses

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination generate strong, highly specific spike-binding immune responses with only modest effects on immunity to endemic common cold coronaviruses. Pre-existing coronavirus immunity patterns remain largely intact, indicating that SARS-CoV-2 has integrated into the human viral landscape without broadly reshaping cross-reactive protection.

5 Jan 2026

Genes and biological networks that drive long COVID risk

This study merges causal genetics and network theory, revealing 32 genes linked to long COVID, offering insights for diagnostics and personalized therapies.

19 Dec 2025

SARS-CoV-2 evolves after jumping from humans to zoo animals

Research on SARS-CoV-2 in zoo tigers, lions, and hyenas shows rapid viral evolution and adaptation, offering insights into cross-species transmission dynamics.

16 Dec 2025

Half of hospitalized COVID-19 patients developed long COVID

Research from Thailand shows high long COVID prevalence in hospitalized patients, with severe illness increasing risk and vaccination offering protection.

15 Dec 2025

Why green tea delivers the strongest health benefits

This review examines tea's health effects, highlighting green tea's benefits for heart health and cognition, and warns about risks in processed tea products.

1 Dec 2025

Long COVID symptoms change for 15 months after infection

Long COVID shows varied recovery trajectories, with distinct symptom patterns identified in the RECOVER cohort, emphasizing the need for personalized care.

28 Nov 2025

Black cumin: A promising natural agent with potential against chronic diseases

Black cumin seeds contain diverse secondary metabolites, including thymoquinone, flavonoids, triterpenoids and alkaloids, that demonstrate broad antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity. Early preclinical and limited clinical evidence shows therapeutic potential across chronic diseases, supported by mechanistic and structure activity relationship findings.

24 Nov 2025

COVID-19, RSV, and flu vaccines remain safe and effective

The systematic review provides crucial insights into the efficacy and safety of respiratory virus vaccines, supporting evidence-based immunization practices.

3 Nov 2025

Scientists explore why black rice deserves a bigger place in modern diets

Researchers reviewed the nutritional composition, therapeutic benefits, and industrial uses of black rice, highlighting its potential as a functional food. The study highlights the role of black rice in managing blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation, while also advocating for more robust human trials and sustainable cultivation methods.

2 Nov 2025

COVID-19 in pregnancy may raise autism and neurodevelopmental disorder risk

Children born to mothers who contracted COVID-19 during pregnancy face a 29% higher likelihood of developmental disorders by age three, including speech, motor, and autism-spectrum delays. The risk was greatest for male offspring and infections occurring in the third trimester.

30 Oct 2025

From stress to susceptibility: how COVID lockdowns shaped teen vaping risk

Teenagers who experienced higher COVID-19 stress during remote schooling were more likely to become open to trying vaping, which significantly increased their odds of using e-cigarettes and cannabis two years later. The study reveals that susceptibility, not immediate use, was the critical pathway linking early stress to later vaping behaviors.

12 Oct 2025