Risk Management & Safety Services



	Biosafety Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines BASIC Biological Spill Clean up Kit Autoclave Use Bioterrorism Issues Basic Information About SARS Symptoms of SARS In general, SARS begins with; A fever greater than 100.4°F [>38.0°C]; Other symptoms may include headache, An overall feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some people also experience mild respiratory symptoms. After 2 to 7 days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough and have trouble breathing. How SARS spreads The primary way that SARS appears to spread is by close person-to-person contact. Most cases of SARS have involved people who cared for or lived with someone with SARS, or had direct contact with infectious material (for example, respiratory secretions) from a person who has SARS. Potential ways in which SARS can be spread include touching the skin of other people or objects that are contaminated with infectious droplets and then touching your eye(s), nose, or mouth. This can happen when someone who is sick with SARS coughs or sneezes droplets onto themselves, other people, or nearby surfaces. It also is possible that SARS can be spread more broadly through the air or by other ways that are currently not known. Patients with SARS pose a risk of transmission to close household contacts and health care personnel in close contact. The duration of time before or after onset of symptoms during which a patient with SARS can transmit the disease to others is unknown. The following infection control measures are recommended for patients with suspected SARS in households or residential settings. SARS patients should limit interactions outside the home and should not go to work, school, out-of-home child care, or other public areas until 10 days after the resolution of fever, provided respiratory symptoms are absent or improving. During this time, infection control precautions should be used, as described below, to minimize the potential for transmission. All members of a household with a SARS patient should carefully follow recommendations for hand hygiene (e.g., frequent hand washing or use of alcohol-based hand rubs), particularly after contact with body fluids (e.g., respiratory secretions, urine, or feces). Use of disposable gloves should be considered for any direct contact with body fluids of a SARS patient. However, gloves are not intended to replace proper hand hygiene. Immediately after activities involving contact with body fluids, gloves should be removed and discarded and hands should be cleaned. Gloves must never be washed or reused. Each patient with SARS should be advised to cover his or her mouth and nose with a facial tissue when coughing or sneezing. If possible, a SARS patient should wear a surgical mask during close contact with uninfected persons to prevent spread of infectious droplets. When a SARS patient is unable to wear a surgical mask, household members should wear surgical masks when in close contact with the patient. Sharing of eating utensils, towels, and bedding between SARS patients and others should be avoided, although such items can be used by others after routine cleaning (e.g., washing with soap and hot water). Environmental surfaces soiled by body fluids should be cleaned with a household disinfectant according to manufacturer's instructions; gloves should be worn during this activity. Household waste soiled with body fluids of SARS patients, including facial tissues and surgical masks, may be discarded as normal waste. Household members and other close contacts of SARS patients should be actively monitored by the local health department for illness. Household members or other close contacts of SARS patients should be vigilant for the development of fever or respiratory symptoms and, if these develop, should seek healthcare evaluation. Household members or other close contacts with symptoms of SARS should follow the same precautions recommended for SARS patients. At this time, in the absence of fever or respiratory symptoms, household members or other close contacts of SARS patients need not limit their activities outside the home. GUIDELINES If you think you (or someone in your family) might have SARS, you should: Consult a health care provider as soon as possible. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you have a surgical mask, wear it during close contact with other people. A mask can reduce the number of droplets coughed into the air. If you have SARS and are being cared for at home, you should: Follow the instructions given by your health care provider. Limit your activities outside the home during this 10-day period. For example, do not go to work, school, or public areas. Wash your hands often and well, especially after you have blown your nose. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you sneeze or cough. If possible, wear a surgical mask when around other people in your home. If you can’t wear a mask, the members of your household should wear one when they are around you. Don’t share silverware, towels, or bedding with anyone in your home until these items have been washed with soap and hot water. Clean surfaces (counter or tabletops, door knobs, bathroom fixtures, etc.) that have been contaminated by body fluids (sweat, saliva, mucous, or even vomit or urine) from the SARS patient with a household disinfectant used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wear disposable gloves during all cleaning activities. Throw these out when you are done. Do not reuse them. Follow these instructions for 10 days after your fever and respiratory symptoms have gone away. Travel From an Affected Area. As of May 6, the CDC was distributing health alert notices about SARS to people traveling to the United States from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam and Toronto. For at least 10 days after departure, all travelers from affected areas should monitor their health for symptoms of SARS, described above. To reduce the risk of transmitting the disease to others, students, faculty, staff or visitors who travel from or through an affected area and develop fever or respiratory problems should immediately telephone a health-care provider for advice and to arrange a medical evaluation. Students should call the Goddard Health Service at 325-4611 and ask to speak to a nurse. Employees should call their Health Care Provider. If you need immediate medical attention, cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and alert the medical provider that you have returned from a SARS-affected area. If you have any questions or symptoms of SARS please contact the Goddard Health at 325-4611 Information courtesy of the CDC.