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Scientists around the world are racing to learn how to rapidly diagnose, treat and stop the spread of a new, deadly disease. SARS — Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome — was detected for the first time in February in Hanoi, and since then has infected more than 1,600 people in 15 countries, killing 63. At this point, there are more questions than answers surrounding the disease.

Symptoms start with a fever over 100.4 degrees F, sometimes with chills, headache or body aches. Within a week, the patient has a dry cough, which might progress to shortness of breath. In 10% to 20% of cases, patients require mechanical ventilation to breathe. About 3.5% die from the disease.

Most cases appear to have been passed through droplets expelled when infected patients cough or sneeze. Family members of infected people and medical workers who care for them have been most likely to contract the illness. But recent developments in Hong Kong suggest that the disease might spread through air, or that the virus might linger for two to three hours on doorknobs or other surfaces.

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Symptoms generally begin in two to seven days, but some reports suggest it might take as long as 10 days.

Scientists are close to developing a lab test to diagnose SARS. In the meantime, it is diagnosed by its symptoms. There is no evidence that antibiotics, anti-viral medicines or steroids help, so doctors can offer only supportive care. Patients with SARS are kept in isolation to reduce the risk of transmission.

Scientists aren't sure yet, but some researchers think it's a newly discovered coronavirus, the family of viruses that cause some common colds.