SARS

SARS

It seems as though there is never a dull moment these days but one in particular really concerns me and that is SARS, short for severe acute respiratory syndrome. I’m sure you’ve all heard or read about it by now and so far it is spreading without a known cure. Since so many of my health tip recipients are world travelers I decided this month’s health tip is entitled “CESARS” or “Cautious Essentials for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome”.

SARS is a respiratory illness that has recently been reported in Asia, North America, and Europe. The illness usually begins with a fever (measured temperature greater than 100.4°F [>38.0°C]). The fever is sometimes associated with chills or other symptoms, including headache, general feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some people also experience mild respiratory symptoms at the outset.

After 2 to 7 days, SARS patients may develop a dry, nonproductive cough that might be accompanied by or progress to the point where insufficient oxygen is getting to the blood. In 10% to 20% of cases, patients will require mechanical ventilation.

The incubation period for SARS is typically 2-7 days; however, isolated reports have suggested an incubation period as long as 10 days. The illness usually begins with a fever (>100.4°F [>38.0°C])

CDC currently recommends that patients with SARS receive the same treatment that would be used for any patient with serious community-acquired atypical pneumonia of unknown cause. Several treatment regimens have been used for patients with SARS, but there is insufficient information at this time to determine if they have had a beneficial effect. Reported therapeutic regimens have included antibiotics to presumptively treat known bacterial agents of atypical pneumonia. Therapy also has included antiviral agents such as oseltamivir or ribavirin. Steroids also have been administered orally or intravenously to patients in combination with ribavirin and other antimicrobials.

The principal way SARS appears to be spread is through droplet transmission; namely, when someone sick with SARS coughs or sneezes droplets into the air and someone else breathes them in. It is possible that SARS can be transmitted more broadly through the air or from objects that have become contaminated.

Information to date suggests that people are most likely to be infectious when they have symptoms, such as fever or cough. However, it is not known how long before or after their symptoms begin that patients with SARS might be able to transmit the disease to others.

Cases of SARS continue to be reported primarily among people who have had direct close contact with an infected person, such as those sharing a household with a SARS patient and health care workers who did not use infection control procedures while caring for a SARS patient. In the United States, there is no indication of community transmission at this time.

The SARS virus has led to mass quarantines in Hong Kong and China. Worldwide, 78 people have died. There have been 85 suspect cases reported in the United States, but there have been no deaths. Health officials say there is no need to be alarmed. They say the best thing to do right now is to stay informed. J

Fluid resistant to help reduce potential exposure of the wearer to blood and body fluids.

>96% BFE1 to help reduce patient contamination caused by exhaled microorganisms.

Single elastic band allows you to slip on and remove mask quickly and easily.

Molded mask is soft and lightweight for comfortable wear.

Non-fiberglass

1 - Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) determined by the modified Greene and Vesley test method.