Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was the first major pandemic of the new millennium, causing significant impact on healthcare systems, economies, and societies. Emerging from southern China in 2002–2003, SARS was caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV, which spread globally through human-to-human transmission. The first cases were linked to a chef who had contact with wild game animals, leading to an outbreak in Hong Kong and beyond. The virus was identified through lung biopsies and was named SARS by the WHO. SARS-CoV is zoonotic, likely originating from palm civets, and spreads through direct or indirect contact with respiratory droplets or fomites. It can also be transmitted via fecal-oral routes, though this has not been conclusively proven. The incubation period is 2–14 days, with a high attack rate in healthcare workers. SARS-CoV is stable in the environment, surviving up to 3 days on surfaces and 2–4 days in stool. It is highly contagious in healthcare settings, with transmission occurring through procedures like intubation and bronchoscopy. SARS is an acute community-acquired or nosocomial pneumonia that does not respond to conventional antibiotics. It presents with fever, cough, and respiratory distress, and can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and multi-organ failure. The mortality rate was around 15%, with higher risk in older individuals and those with comorbidities. SARS-CoV has a unique receptor, ACE2, which is expressed in various tissues, facilitating viral entry. The virus replicates in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and its transmission can occur via aerosols, especially in poorly ventilated areas. Laboratory diagnosis involves viral culture, serological tests, and RT-PCR. SARS-CoV is highly infectious, and strict infection control measures are essential to prevent nosocomial spread. Animal models, including cynomolgus macaques, ferrets, and civets, have been used to study SARS-CoV. Clinical management focuses on respiratory support and intensive care, with no effective antiviral drugs available. Experimental antiviral agents, including interferons, ribavirin, and protease inhibitors, have shown some activity in vitro. Passive immunization with convalescent plasma and active immunization through vaccines based on the spike protein have been explored. SARS-CoV is a member of the coronavirus family, distinct from other known coronaviruses. It has a large genome and is highly variable, with mutations occurring during transmission. The virus has a high viral load and can cause severe disease, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. SARS-CoV has been linked to various clinical manifestations, including respiratory failure, sepsis, and multi-organ dysfunction. The development of effective vaccines and antiviral therapies remains a prioritySevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was the first major pandemic of the new millennium, causing significant impact on healthcare systems, economies, and societies. Emerging from southern China in 2002–2003, SARS was caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV, which spread globally through human-to-human transmission. The first cases were linked to a chef who had contact with wild game animals, leading to an outbreak in Hong Kong and beyond. The virus was identified through lung biopsies and was named SARS by the WHO. SARS-CoV is zoonotic, likely originating from palm civets, and spreads through direct or indirect contact with respiratory droplets or fomites. It can also be transmitted via fecal-oral routes, though this has not been conclusively proven. The incubation period is 2–14 days, with a high attack rate in healthcare workers. SARS-CoV is stable in the environment, surviving up to 3 days on surfaces and 2–4 days in stool. It is highly contagious in healthcare settings, with transmission occurring through procedures like intubation and bronchoscopy. SARS is an acute community-acquired or nosocomial pneumonia that does not respond to conventional antibiotics. It presents with fever, cough, and respiratory distress, and can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and multi-organ failure. The mortality rate was around 15%, with higher risk in older individuals and those with comorbidities. SARS-CoV has a unique receptor, ACE2, which is expressed in various tissues, facilitating viral entry. The virus replicates in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and its transmission can occur via aerosols, especially in poorly ventilated areas. Laboratory diagnosis involves viral culture, serological tests, and RT-PCR. SARS-CoV is highly infectious, and strict infection control measures are essential to prevent nosocomial spread. Animal models, including cynomolgus macaques, ferrets, and civets, have been used to study SARS-CoV. Clinical management focuses on respiratory support and intensive care, with no effective antiviral drugs available. Experimental antiviral agents, including interferons, ribavirin, and protease inhibitors, have shown some activity in vitro. Passive immunization with convalescent plasma and active immunization through vaccines based on the spike protein have been explored. SARS-CoV is a member of the coronavirus family, distinct from other known coronaviruses. It has a large genome and is highly variable, with mutations occurring during transmission. The virus has a high viral load and can cause severe disease, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. SARS-CoV has been linked to various clinical manifestations, including respiratory failure, sepsis, and multi-organ dysfunction. The development of effective vaccines and antiviral therapies remains a priority