The Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of 78 Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

摘要

Objective To observe the clinical characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) disease, explore and evaluate the effective treatment regimen. Methods Retrospective analysis of clinical presentation, laboratory investigation and treatment from 78 patients with SARS. Results The common symptoms of SARS patients were fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. White blood cell counts were normal or decreased in most of SARS cases on the first onset stage. CD4~+ and CD8~+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood decreased during the progressive stage. Serum alanine aminotransferase and creatine kinase levels were elevated in 33.3% and 25.6% of the patients, respectively. In some cases, the respiratory symptoms and signs were not as severe as the conditions of the chest radiography. General combination therapy include antiviral, empirical antibiotics, corticosteroid and oxygen therapy was performed. Conclusions SARS is highly contagious with sever acute damage of the respiratory system, but it also implicates other organs, such as the liver and heart. The patients should be carefully observed and identified its progress stage in time by the different features. General combination therapy could improve the outcome.