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What is SARS?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, refers to a severe form of viral respiratory illness. The cause of SARS is a previously unknown type of coronovirus. SARS was reported for the first time in China in February 2002 and within several months spread to 24 countries worldwide, including Canada. There are currently no reported cases of SARS in Canada or elsewhere in the world; however, there is concern that SARS may re-emerge.

What are the symptoms?

The illness usually starts with a high fever (over 38^OC or 100.4^OF) and respiratory symptoms, including dry cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties. The illness may also be accompanied by chills, headache, a general feeling of malaise, discomfort, and body aches. Diarrhea may occur and most patients will develop pneumonia.    

How is it spread?

The viruses and bacteria that typically cause respiratory illnesses are usually found in fluids from the mouth or nose of an infected person. Illness can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes on a person, by sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils, and when a person touches the used tissues or handkerchiefs of an infected person. SARS is spread through close contact with a person ill with the SARS coronavirus. Close contact is defined as anyone living in the same household, providing care to someone with SARS, or having direct contact with respiratory secretions and body fluids of someone affected by SARS

How is it diagnosed?

The symptoms of SARS resemble those of many other respiratory infections, so doctors are unable to diagnose SARS based on symptoms alone. The following criteria are used to triage a suspected case of SARS:

• People who have recently travelled to affected countries in Asia or have had close contact with someone diagnosed with SARS
• Who develop a fever higher than then 38.0^OC
• Have one or more of the following respiratory symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing

What should I do if I am sick?

Call your doctor if you believe your illness is severe and you have travelled to Southeast Asia or have had direct contact with an ill person who has recently travelled to Southeast Asia. There are thousands of viruses and bacteria that can cause mild to very severe respiratory symptoms. Most infectious agents are highly transmissible during the first 3 days of your illness. If you are ill, stay home.

How do I protect myself?

Wash your hands - Your hands come in daily contact with germs that can cause respiratory illnesses. Washing your hands thoroughly and often can help reduce your risk. If there is illness in your household, consider switching to an antibacterial soap or providing an alcohol hand sanitizer.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands.

Protect others from infection - If you are ill, stay away from others, especially anyone with a compromised immune system (young children and babies, the elderly, chemotherapy recipients etc.). Ensure you always cough or sneeze into a tissue to reduce the amount of germs you spew into the air and then dispose of the tissue and immediately wash your hands afterwards. If you cannot isolate yourself from others, consider wearing a facemask.

Do not share items that go into your mouth with others (drinks, utensils, cigarettes).

Don’t smoke - Smoking damages your lungs’ natural defences against respiratory infections.

Get immunized - Babies should all be immunized against Haemophilus influenzae (HIB). High-risk people should be immunized against pneumoccocal disease. Everyone should get the flu shot.

If travelling, check the Health Canada travel advisories for information about regions affected by SARS.

Where can I get more information?

Health Canada www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Ministry of Health www.health.gov.on.ca

Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/

World Health Organization www.who.int/csr/sars/