SARS DIAGNOSIS |
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Your health care provider may hear
abnormal lung sounds while listening to the chest with a stethoscope.
In most people with SARS, progressive chest X-ray changes or chest
CT changes demonstrate the presence of pneumonia or respiratory
distress syndrome. The general
tests used in the diagnosis of SARS might include the following:
- A chest X-ray or chest CT scan
- A complete blood count (CBC)
- White blood cell (WBC) count
may be low.
- Lymphocyte count may be low.
- Platelet count may be low.
- Blood clotting tests
- Blood chemistries
- LDH levels are often
elevated.
- ALT and CPK are sometimes
elevated.
- Sodium and potassium are
sometimes low.
Much attention was given early in the
outbreak to developing a quick, sensitive test for SARS. Specific
tests for the SARS virus include the PCR test for SARS virus,
antibody tests to SARS (such as ELISA or IFA), and direct SARS virus
isolation. All current tests have some limitations. |
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| SARS RELATED ITEMS |
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