March 27, 2003 – Scientists confirm atypical pneumonia1 that has been making headlines for a few weeks is caused by a mutation in the virus that causes the common cold.
The discovery will now make it possible to test patients who show symptoms of the disease to find out if they really have it.
The epidemic is mainly concentrated in Asia, where more than 1,300 cases have so far been diagnosed, resulting in 51 deaths. In North America, 102 cases (including 62 in Canada) and three deaths (all in Canada) have been reported.
In Ontario, the government has declared a “medical emergency” after the virus forced the closure of a school and the quarantine of 25 people believed to be infected.
Despite all the media noise, a medical expert interviewed by PasseportSanté.net believes that there is no cause for alarm.
“It’s a marginal problem,” says Dr. Paul Lépine. There are no cases in Quebec and therefore no immediate threat ”.
For those showing symptoms of the common cold, he recommends the usual hygiene measures and anything that can boost the immune system, like vitamin C and perhaps echinacea.
However, these recommendations only apply to people already infected with a virus. Dr. Lépine is not worried enough to recommend these preventive measures.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to British Medical Journal, March 29, 2003.
1. Zambon, M. Nicholson KG. Sudden acute respiratory syndrome.BMJ 2003; 326: 669-670. [Consulté le 31 mars 2003].
