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SARS
(SARS) Severe acute respiratory syndrome.
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SARS GUIDANCE
October 2004
WHO new guidance on SARS
General
Information
PREVENTION AND CONTROL RECOMMENDATIONS
The Illness
What is SARS?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory illness that has
recently been reported in Asia, North America, and Europe.
What are the symptoms and signs of SARS?
The illness usually begins with a fever (measured temperature greater than
100.4°F [>38.0°C]). The fever is sometimes associated with chills or other
symptoms, including headache, general feeling of discomfort and body aches.
Some people also experience mild respiratory symptoms at the outset.
After 2 to 7 days, SARS patients may develop a dry, non-productive cough
that might be accompanied by or progress to the point where insufficient
oxygen is getting to the blood. In 10 percent to 20 percent of cases,
patients will require mechanical ventilation.
If I were exposed to SARS, how long would
it take for me to become sick?
The
incubation period for SARS is typically 2 to 7 days; however, isolated
reports have suggested an incubation period as long as 10 days.
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Spread of SARS
How is SARS spread?
The primary way that SARS appears to spread is by close person-to-person
contact. Potential ways in which SARS can be spread include touching the
skin of other people or objects that are contaminated with infectious
droplets and then touching your eye(s), nose, or mouth. This can happen when
someone who is sick with SARS coughs or sneezes droplets onto themselves,
other people, or nearby surfaces. It also is possible that SARS can be
spread more broadly through the air or by other ways that are currently not
known.
How long is a person with SARS infectious
to others?
Information to date suggests that people are most likely to be infectious
when they have symptoms, such as fever or cough. However, it is not known
how long before or after their symptoms begin that patients with SARS might
be able to transmit the disease to others.
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Cause of SARS
What is the cause of SARS?
Scientists at CDC and other laboratories have detected a previously
unrecognized coronavirus in patients with SARS. This new coronavirus is the
leading hypothesis for the cause of SARS, however, other viruses are still
under investigation as potential causes.
What are coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that have a halo or crown-like (corona)
appearance when viewed under a microscope. These viruses are a common cause
of mild to moderate upper-respiratory illness in humans and are associated
with respiratory, gastrointestinal, liver and neurologic disease in animals.
The Outbreak
Most cases of SARS have been reported from China. In
addition, SARS cases have been reported from more than 20 other countries.
Measures to control the spread of SARS continue to be used in countries
worldwide so that the outbreak can be contained. Visit
WHO's SARS page
for daily updates.
Travel and Quarantine
WHO has
recommended procedures for pre-departure screening
of airline passengers from some countries for respiratory illnesses or other
symptoms of SARS.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Personal and Household
What should I do if I think I have SARS?
If you are ill with a fever greater than 100.4°F (>38.0°C) that is
accompanied by a cough or difficulty breathing or that progresses to a cough
and/or difficulty breathing, you should consult a health-care provider. To
help your health-care provider make a diagnosis, tell him or her about any
recent travel to regions where cases of SARS have been reported and whether
you were in contact with someone who had these symptoms.
Travel and Quarantine
Are there any travel restrictions related
to SARS?
At this time there are no travel restrictions in place that are directly
related to SARS. However, individuals who are planning nonessential or
elective travel to the People's Republic of China (i.e., mainland China and
Hong Kong); Hanoi, Vietnam; or Singapore may wish to postpone their trip
until further notice. For additional information for travellers from the USA
about travel advisories, check
CDC's
Travellers'
Health site,
which will be updated as necessary.
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