#### SARS: Information for VA Employees, Patients, and Visitors

**What is SARS?** [S]{.underline}evere [a]{.underline}cute
[r]{.underline}espiratory [s]{.underline}yndrome is a new,
transmissible, serious illness characterized by fever and muscle pain,
headache, sore throat, fatigue, and dry cough. In some patients, SARS
progresses to fatal form of pneumonia. The cause is a newly recognized
*coronavirus*, a family of viruses responsible for the common cold. SARS
was first reported in China in November 2002, and has spread around the
world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have
developed a working case definition that helps health care workers
decide when an illness might be SARS:

# Respiratory illness of unknown cause

# Began after February 1, 2003

# Measured temperature [\>]{.underline} 100.4°F (\>38° C) 

**AND**

-   One or more of the following symptoms:

    -   Cough

    -   Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

    -   A chest x ray that shows pneumonia

**AND**

-   Travel within 10 days of onset of symptoms to places where people
    have been infected with SARS. *Travel includes transit thru an
    airport in an area of transmission.*

##### **OR** 

-   Having cared for, lived with, or having direct contact with
    respiratory secretions and/or body fluids of a patient thought to
    have SARS

-   Newly developed laboratory tests may help diagnose SARS

**Transmission of SARS** In the US, SARS has occurred in people who have
traveled to the places where SARS has spread, or in health care workers
or family members who have been in close contact with SARS patients.
SARS is spread when infected patients spray tiny droplets containing
infectious material as they cough, sneeze, or speak. It is possible that
it is spread when people touch surfaces that become contaminated when
SARS patients cough or sneeze on them. The virus that causes SARS may be
able to survive on surfaces for several hours.

## I think I have been exposed to SARS. What do I do? It takes from about 2 to 10 days to develop SARS after exposure. If you feel you have been exposed, talk with your health care provider, or your hospital infection control or public health professional. A public health clinician may visit you and advise you during this time. For 10 days, watch yourself closely for fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Take your temperature if you feel ill. Should you have symptoms, contact your health care provider *before* going to his or her office, clinic, or hospital. Your health care provider will tell you what to do. This may include staying at home, covering your mouth and nose with tissues when coughing or sneezing, washing your hands frequently, and wearing a surgical mask when in contact with others. If you are told to go to a doctor's office, clinic, or hospital, the staff will also take special measures to protect themselves and others from you while they decide if you have SARS. 

**I am taking care of someone with SARS. How do I protect myself and
keep others from getting it?**

All persons in contact with SARS patients should

-   Wash their hands thoroughly and frequently, and especially after
    contact with body fluids like respiratory secretions, urine, or
    feces.

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-   Wear a surgical mask in the presence of the SARS patient if the
    patient is unable to wear one.

-   Not share eating or drinking utensils, towels, or bedding with the
    SARS patient. These may be used again after washing with soap and
    hot water.

-   Dispose of tissues and surgical masks with regular household trash.

-   Clean surfaces that SARS patients may have coughed on or soiled with
    body fluids using household disinfectants.

-   Wear disposable gloves when touching any SARS patient's body fluids,
    but dispose of the gloves after each use, and wash hands thoroughly
    even if gloves were used.

-   Follow advice of their health care provider, or hospital infection
    control or public health professional on allowed activities.

SARS patients should

-   Not go to work, school, church, out-of-home childcare, or any other
    public areas until 10 days after their fever and respiratory
    symptoms resolve.

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-   Cover their mouths and noses with disposable tissues when coughing
    or sneezing and wear surgical masks, if able, when in contact with
    others. If it is difficult for the SARS patient to wear a surgical
    mask, then household members should wear surgical masks when around
    the SARS patient.

**Treatment of SARS** Presently, there is no specific treatment for
SARS. Patients with SARS are treated with measures to make them
comfortable (like resting, reducing fever, maintaining fluid intake) and
to support body functions like adequate breathing. Some patients may be
given antibiotics and antiviral drugs in case the illness they are
experiencing is another type of bacterial or viral infection and is not
SARS.

**Further Information** CDC maintains more detailed and current
information and recommendations at
[www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/](http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/). The VA SARS
Web sites are
[www.publichealth.va.gov/sars](http://www.publichealth.valgov/sars) and
[vaww.vhaco.va.gov/phshcg/SARS/](http://vaww.vhaco.va.gov/phshcg/SARS/)

The information presented here is current as of the date on this page.
Updates will be posted on the VA SARS Web site as information changes.

**Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards (13)**

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**07/10/03**