嚴重急性呼吸道症候群是本世紀第一個新興的傳染性疾病，新型的冠狀病毒(Coronavirus)－「SARS病毒(SARS-CoV)」被認為是導致SARS的致病原，主要的傳染途徑為飛沫傳染或直接及間接的接觸傳染。由於初期對該疾病的知識缺乏，再加上國際航空往來的頻繁，使得疫情在短短數個月間迅速地在國際間蔓延，造成了全球性的恐慌，其中尤以與病患接觸密切的醫護人員威脅最大。血液透析時護理人員與病患有極近距離的接觸，執行透析照護時應嚴格遵守相關的感染管制措施，以避免遭受感染。

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has been recognized as one newly emerging infectious disease of the new millennium. A novel coronavirus that has been named the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) has been identified as the causative agent. It appears to be transmitted primarily by large droplets or through direct and indirect contact with infected people. Because of there was a lack of knowledge about SARS in addition to the swiftness of international air travel, the epidemic spread rapidly within several months and created a global panic. Specifically, those health care workers who had close contact with SARS patients were particularly affected. Stringent infection control measures are needed to prevent further transmission of this disease.