Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was the first major pandemic of the new millennium, significantly impacting healthcare systems, economies, and societies. The disease emerged in Southern China in 2002-2003 and spread globally, with the first cases linked to Guangdong Province. The virus, a novel coronavirus, was identified as the cause of SARS after an open lung biopsy of a patient who became infected while in Hong Kong. SARS is an acute community-acquired or nosocomial pneumonia that does not respond to conventional antimicrobial therapy. It is likely zoonotic, with wild game animals, particularly palm civets, serving as amplification hosts. The virus spreads through direct or indirect contact with respiratory droplets or fomites, and nosocomial transmission can occur in healthcare settings. The incubation period is 2 to 14 days, and the virus is stable in the environment for 2 to 3 days. SARS-CoV is phylogenetically distinct from other coronaviruses, and its entry into humans likely occurred through a deletion in the spike protein. Clinical manifestations include fever, chills, myalgia, and nonproductive cough, with rapid respiratory deterioration in two-thirds of cases. Treatment focuses on respiratory support and intensive care, with no randomized clinical trials available for potential antiviral agents. Antiviral drugs and immunomodulators have shown some activity, but their effectiveness is limited. Passive immunization using convalescent plasma has not been beneficial. Active immunization approaches, including vaccines based on the spike protein, have shown promise in animal models. Infection control measures are crucial due to the virus's stability and lack of protective immunity in the general population.Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was the first major pandemic of the new millennium, significantly impacting healthcare systems, economies, and societies. The disease emerged in Southern China in 2002-2003 and spread globally, with the first cases linked to Guangdong Province. The virus, a novel coronavirus, was identified as the cause of SARS after an open lung biopsy of a patient who became infected while in Hong Kong. SARS is an acute community-acquired or nosocomial pneumonia that does not respond to conventional antimicrobial therapy. It is likely zoonotic, with wild game animals, particularly palm civets, serving as amplification hosts. The virus spreads through direct or indirect contact with respiratory droplets or fomites, and nosocomial transmission can occur in healthcare settings. The incubation period is 2 to 14 days, and the virus is stable in the environment for 2 to 3 days. SARS-CoV is phylogenetically distinct from other coronaviruses, and its entry into humans likely occurred through a deletion in the spike protein. Clinical manifestations include fever, chills, myalgia, and nonproductive cough, with rapid respiratory deterioration in two-thirds of cases. Treatment focuses on respiratory support and intensive care, with no randomized clinical trials available for potential antiviral agents. Antiviral drugs and immunomodulators have shown some activity, but their effectiveness is limited. Passive immunization using convalescent plasma has not been beneficial. Active immunization approaches, including vaccines based on the spike protein, have shown promise in animal models. Infection control measures are crucial due to the virus's stability and lack of protective immunity in the general population.