SARS
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral
respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated
coronavirus (SARS-CoV). SARS was first reported in Asia in
February 2003. Over the next few months, the illness
spread to more than two dozen countries in North America,
South America, Europe, and Asia before the SARS global
outbreak of 2003 was contained.
Symptoms of SARS
SARS begins with a high fever (temperature
greater than 100.4°F [>38.0°C]). Other symptoms may
include headache, an overall feeling of discomfort, and
body aches. Some people have mild respiratory
symptoms at the beginning. About 10 to 20 percent of
patients have diarrhea. After 2 to 7 days, SARS patients
may develop a dry cough. Most patients develop pneumonia.
How SARS spreads
SARS spreads by close
person-to-person contact. The virus that causes SARS is
transmitted most readily by respiratory
droplets (droplet spread) produced when an infected person
coughs or sneezes. Droplet spread can happen when droplets
from the cough or sneeze of an infected person are
propelled (generally up to 3 feet)
through the air and deposited on the mucous membranes of
the mouth, nose, or eyes of persons who are nearby. The
virus also can spread when a person touches a surface or
object contaminated with infectious droplets and then
touches his or her mouth, nose, or eye(s). It
is possible that the SARS virus can spread more broadly
through the air (airborne spread) or by other ways that
are not now known.
What does “close
contact” mean?
In the context of SARS, close contact means having cared
for or lived with someone with SARS or having direct
contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids of a
patient with SARS. Examples of close contact include
kissing or hugging, sharing eating or drinking utensils,
talking to someone within 3 feet and touching someone
directly. Close contact does not include activities like
walking by a person or briefly sitting across a waiting
room or office.
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For
additional information on SARS please visit the
Center for Disease Control website at
http://www.cdc.gov/
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Chouteau County Department of
Public Health
1020 13th Street
Fort Benton, Montana 59442
Phone: 406-622-3771
