Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Symptoms and Diagnosis
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If you develop these symptoms, please call RUHS immediately. Be sure to say that you are concerned about SARS before you come to a health center so that we can arrange appropriate infection control measures while caring for you.
Is there SARS at Rutgers or in
New Jersey?
Where did SARS come from?
How does SARS present?
How does SARS spread?
How is SARS diagnosed?
What if I think I might have been exposed?
Should those arriving from SARS areas be quarantined?
Is there SARS at Rutgers or in New Jersey?
As of now, there have been NO probable or suspected cases at
Rutgers. There have been a few cases in NJ (CDC
current update on cases by state). It should be emphasized that every
case of SARS in NJ to date can be traced directly back to a known risk
factor (i.e. travel to a high risk area or close contact with a SARS
victim). There have been NO cases without clear risk factors.
Where did SARS come from?
SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is a new disease. It is
felt to be caused by a new member of Coronavirus family (several members
of this group can cause more mild, cold like illnesses in humans).
The virus is felt to have most likely originated in China, sometime in the
fall - possibly "jumping" from animals to humans.
For a number of months, the infection spread, largely unnoticed by the
outside world, in parts of China (especially around the Guandong
province).
On March 15, 2003, the World Health Organization issued a global warning about the spread of this disease.
How does SARS present?
Typically, after a 2-10 day incubation period, victims will develop
fever (>100.4) along with chills (often shaking), headache, muscle
pains, and general lethargy. Diarrhea often also occurs. Then,
about 3-7 days later, these symptoms progress to shortness of breath and
an increasing, usually dry, cough. In some patients, these symptoms
progress to pneumonia, and unfortunately, it may be fatal.
Exactly how often people die after contracting SARS is not yet clear. What is known is that those who are older, and have other medical problems, will do worse. Overall death rates are approximated at around 10-20% (much lower in young, healthy people, much higher in older people).
How does SARS spread?
The virus that causes SARS spreads by:
- Large droplet aerolization - This is the most common means of spread. This means that most people who catch SARS, do so by close contact with those who are infected and coughing (coughing causes aerolization).
- Contact with infected objects - The SARS virus may live outside the body for up to a few days. Some people appear to have been infected by coming into contact with objects (particularly sewage). The virus would get onto the hand, and would typically enter the body upon touching the eyes or nose.
- Airborne transmission - It is possible, but not yet shown to be the case, that the SARS virus may rarely infect those who have not come into close contact with SARS patients. If this is the case, then it is possible that SARS might be able to spread through vents and ducts in a building.
More information on preventing SARS in the workplace
General information on protecting against the spread of SARS
How is SARS diagnosed?
For the most part, SARS is a "clinical" diagnosis.
This means that the diagnosis rests not on a single test but on a
constellation of symptoms and findings (including those listed at the top
of this page). In addition, there are some laboratory tests for the
virus which are being refined on an almost daily basis. The tests
are not easy to perform and not always completely accurate.
More information on the "case definition" of SARS
What if I think I might have been exposed?
To date, we would only be concerned if you had returned in the past
2-10 days from a country where SARS was prevalent
OR had been exposed to a known SARS victim.
Essentially, the CDC guidelines break down to monitoring for any signs/symptoms of SARS and taking your temperature twice a day for 2-10 days following exposure. If any signs/symptoms were to develop, then contact RUHS.
CDC links for:
Details
about how to handle potential exposure
Information on workplace and potential exposure
Information on students and exposure
Should those arriving from SARS areas be
quarantined?
In this country, only a small number of suspected or probable cases
of SARS have been detected among exposed health-care personnel and
household contacts of SARS patients. Casual contact with SARS patients
at schools, other institutions, or public gatherings (e.g., attending
the same class or meeting) has not resulted in documented transmission
in the United States.
At this time, the CDC and RUHS is NOT recommending canceling or postponing classes, meetings or other gatherings that will include persons traveling to the United States from areas with SARS. RUHS and the CDC also do not recommend quarantine of persons arriving from areas with SARS.
What the CDC is doing in conjunction with WHO to minimize the risk to the US is:
- Stringent outbreak control measures, including isolation of SARS patients and quarantine of their exposed contacts, in countries with SARS;
- Pre-embarkation screening of persons traveling from areas with SARS to defer travel for those with symptoms or signs of SARS or exposure to known SARS patients in the past 10 days;
- Assessment by health authorities of ill persons aboard arriving flights from an area with SARS to ensure that ill passengers are isolated and evaluated promptly upon arrival and that appropriate follow-up of other passengers occurs, as necessary;
- Distribution of health alert notices to travelers arriving in the United States from areas with SARS to notify them of the importance of monitoring their health closely for a period of 10 days following departure, and for persons who develop fever or respiratory symptoms, the need to promptly seek medical evaluation; and
- Rapid detection and isolation of persons in the United States who have traveled from an area with SARS and have symptoms compatible with early suspected SARS within 10 days of arrival.
CDC
Interim Guidelines for Businesses and Other Organizations with Employees
Returning to the United States from Areas with SARS
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Last Modified 12/22/2005