Months before the world health organization declared it a worldwide health threat and gave the disease its name, SARS had begun infecting people in Guangdong Province, in southern China. At the beginning, however, few health professionals were worried about it at all.

A Cold? The Flu"

It was in November 2002 that the first cases were seen in the rural areas of Guangdong Province. People complained about headaches, aching muscles and joints, as well as a loss of appetite.

Few sufferers were concerned; it was November, after all, and it was not unusual to catch a cold or flu during the cool, rainy season. Most continued going to work or school, believing that the symptoms would fade after a few days.

Within three or four days, however, patients found that they felt worse, not better. Many were experiencing dry coughs, fever, and difficulty...