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SARS
What is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)?
SARS is the term being used to describe a serious respiratory illness
which has been reported in parts of east and south east Asia, and in Canada
What are the symptoms of SARS?
The main symptoms of SARS are high fever (>38° C), dry cough, shortness
of breath, or breathing difficulties. Changes in chest X-rays indicative
of pneumonia also occur
How contagious is SARS?
Based on currently available evidence, close contact with an infected
person poses the highest risk of the infective agent to spread from one
person to another. To date, the majority of cases have occurred in hospital
workers who have cared for SARS patients and the close family members
of these patients
What is the treatment for SARS?
Antibiotics and antiviral drugs are being used to treat the illness. A
vaccine is not available, but scientists continue to work on its development.
In early 2004 it was reported that coronaviruses with 99% sequence similarity
to the surface spike protein of human SARS isolates were isolated in Guangdong,
China, from apparently healthy masked palm civets (Paguma larvata), a
cat-like mammal closely related to the mongoose. The palm civet is regarded
as a delicacy in Guangdong and it is believed that humans became infected
as they raised and slaughtered the animals rather than by consumption
of infected meat
How fast does SARS spread?
SARS appears to be less infectious than influenza. The incubation period
is believed to be short, around 3 to 6 days. The speed of international
travel does, however, create a risk that cases can rapidly spread around
the world
What can I do to protect myself?
Only a few cases have been identified outside of South East Asia and these
cases were in people who had travelled from there, mainly in Canada. The
best advice is to be aware of the symptoms of this illness, particularly
if you have recently travelled in Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan,
Beijing, Guangdong China and other parts of south east Asia, and seek
medical advice should you develop them within ten days of your return
How many cases of SARS have been reported to date?
For the latest number reported cases worldwide, please refer to the WHO
web site (link at the bottom of this document)
What should I do if I am planning to travel to Hong Kong, Singapore,
Thailand, Vietnam, China, or other areas in South East Asia?
Travellers to South East Asia need to be aware of previous outbreaks and
take them into account in their travel plans. Latest information is available
on the FCO website, and the travel section of the WHO website (links at
the bottom of this document)
I recently returned from Hong Kong (or another area affected by SARS)
a week ago and I have now got a temperature and a bit of a cold. What
should I do?
If you have recently returned and suffer from any of the following symptoms:
sudden onset of fever (>38° C), together with respiratory symptoms
such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
within 10 days of return, please contact your GP surgery or phone NHS
Choices on 0845 4647
Why are you so worried about this infection?
SARS can be a very serious condition. Not all people suffering from SARS
have developed pneumonia, but in those who have the risk of dying is about
1 in 30. Also, as we have seen in Canada, if the infection gets into a
hospital, it can spread very quickly
After the outbreak in 2003 are we likely to see a repeat?
It is difficult to say. A lot of measures have been put in place to identify
and limit infection, and if it occurs again we will be in a better position
to contain it
USEFUL WEB SITES
Source: Health Protection Agency
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