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SARS
What is it? Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a
respiratory disease that has recently been reported in Asia, Europe and
North America.
What are the Symptoms? The illness usually begins with a fever two to
ten days after exposure. Other early symptoms include headache, body aches
and some people have mild respiratory symptoms. Two to seven days after the
initial symptoms patients may develop a dry, nonproductive cough that may
progress to severe shortness of breath.
How is it Treated? The CDC currently recommends that patients with
SARS receive the same treatment that would be used for any patient with
serious, community-acquired atypical pneumonia of unknown cause.
How is it Spread? The main route of transmission is through droplets.
For example, when someone with the illness coughs or sneezes into the air,
the surrounding people may inhale infected droplets and may contract the
illness. SARS may also be transmitted through objects that have become
contaminated by infected droplets.
Who is at Risk? SARS is most likely to occur in individuals who have
had direct, close contact with an infected person or, in health care workers
who did not use proper infection control procedures when caring for a SARS
patient.
What is the Cause? The leading theory is that a coronavirus causes
the illness. However, other viruses are still being studied as possible
causes.
What about Travel? There are no travel restrictions in place at this
time. However, a CDC travel advisory recommends that individuals who are
planning nonessential trips to Mainland China, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Vietnam or
Singapore may wish to postpone their trips. For additional, up to date
information about travel advisories please click on the following links.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel_advice.htm
http://www.who.int/csr/sars/travel/en/
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