SARS

[ sahrz ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: an acute respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, characterized by fever, coughing, breathing difficulty, and usually pneumonia.

SARS

¹

/ sɑːz /

acronym for

1. severe acute respiratory syndrome; a severe viral infection of the lungs characterized by high fever, a dry cough, and breathing difficulties. It is contagious, having an airborne mode of transmission

SARS

²

abbreviation for

1. South African Revenue Service

Word History and Origins

Origin of SARS¹

First recorded in 2005–10

Example Sentences

The lab leak theory holds that SARS-2 was created or manipulated into existence in the Wuhan Institute of Virology and escaped from the lab, whether deliberately or by accident.

From Los Angeles Times

They will test whether animals currently carry SARS‐CoV‑2 or have antibodies to it, indicating a past infection.

From Science Magazine

It could have played out differently, as shown by the outbreak of SARS, a genetic relative of COVID-19, nearly 20 years ago.

From Seattle Times

Then, in April 2003, researchers reported that the deadly, atypical pneumonia spreading through China, soon to be called SARS, was caused by a coronavirus.

From Science Magazine

After the SARS-1 pandemic of 2003, many survivors reported long-term mental health problems and chronic fatigue, symptoms of which were largely dismissed.

From Salon