Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS coronavirus, which resulted in a significant outbreak between November 2002 and July 2003, leading to 8,422 cases and 916 deaths worldwide. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, with a 10.9% fatality rate in severe cases, and transmission occurs through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. Diagnosis involves PCR testing and serologic testing, while treatment is largely supportive, as there is no uniform cure for the disease.