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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
SARS
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This document provides general information only. For more information
on these topics and others please follow the resource links
at the bottom of each information page. If you have specific
questions about diseases and conditions, please refer them to
a licensed physician.
Health experts are concerned that SARS could re-emerge. It is
important to remain aware of the symptoms and risk factors for
SARS and know how to minimize your risk.
Below are answers to some frequently asked question
and additional SARS links.
There is still a great deal about SARS that remains unknown.
It will take time to discover how to diagnose SARS rapidly and
how to prevent it or treat it successfully.
Symptoms
People with SARS develop a fever, followed by respiratory symptoms
such as coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
In some cases, the symptoms become increasingly severe. Patients
may require oxygen support and mechanical help to breathe.
Other symptoms of SARS may include muscle aches, sore throat
and diarrhea.
Minimize Risk
At this time, the only known risk factors for developing SARS
are recent travel to areas where SARS is spreading locally or
recent close contract with someone who has SARS or is ill and
has been in an area where SARS is spreading locally.
The health effects of SARS may be more severe for people who
are older or have an underlying medical condition. The following
precautions will help to minimize the risk of SARS, not only
for you and your family, but also for others:
- Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly for at least
20 seconds using soap and warm water;
- If traveling, check the Health Canada travel advisories
for information about regions affected by SARS;
- Refrain from donating blood for at least 21 days if you
have been in a region outside Canada currently affected
by SARS, or have been in a site identified by public health
authorities as at-risk for SARS; and,
- Call ahead to your health care provider to seek advice
if you feel you have the symptoms of SARS.
- Above all, remain calm yet alert.
FAQ
Q. How is SARS spread?
A. SARS is caused by a previously unknown type of corona virus.
In addition, there may be factors related to the infected person's
immune system or factors in the environment that affect the
symptoms and severity of SARS. Normally, corona viruses cause
mild to moderate upper-respiratory symptoms, such as the common
cold. SARS is spread through close contact with someone who
is infected with the SARS corona virus. Examples of close contact
include living in the same household, providing care to someone
with SARS, or having direct contact with respiratory secretions
and body fluids of someone infected by SARS.
Q. Are people with SARS contagious before they develop symptoms?
A. To date, it appears that people with SARS are not contagious
until they develop symptoms. This may take up to ten days from
the time they were in close contact with someone who has SARS.
Q. Will a flu shot protect me against SARS?
A. A flu shot does not offer any protection against SARS or
other respiratory viruses. If you experience flu-like symptoms
and have been vaccinated against the flu, you may still have
the flu or another common respiratory virus. Flu shots will
help to reduce the number of severe cases of flu coming to emergency
rooms and may help to reduce the number of false alarms about
SARS.
Q. Is there a test for SARS?
A. There is no quick test for SARS. If you have symptoms that
could be SARS, your doctor or health care professional will
decide how to manage your case, including whether you should
be isolated, based on your specific symptoms and risk factors
for contracting SARS. If necessary, your doctor will perform
specific tests for the SARS virus.
Links
Health
Canada
World
Health Organization
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