Volume 10, Number 2—February 2004
THEME ISSUE
2004 SARS Edition
Clinical Study
Combining Clinical and Epidemiologic Features for Early Recognition of SARS
John A. Jernigan*
, Donald E. Low†, and Rita F. Helfand*
, Donald E. Low†, and Rita F. Helfand*Table 1
Common clinical features of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
| Clinical feature | Common findings with SARS-associated coronavirus infection |
|---|---|
| Initial symptoms |
Nonrespiratory prodrome lasting 2–7 days characterized by one or more of the following:
Fever
Rigors
Headache
Malaise
Myalgia
Diarrhea
Respiratory phase beginning 2–7 days after onset characterized by:
Nonproductive cough
Dyspnea
Absence of upper respiratory symptoms |
| Laboratory |
Normal or low total leukocyte cell count |
| Lymphopenia |
|
| Mildly depressed platelet count |
|
| Elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels |
|
| Elevated creatine phosphokinase levels | |
| Elevated transaminase levels | |
| Prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time | |
| Radiographic | Abnormal chest x-ray in almost all patients by the second week of illness |
