FAQs on SARS

When should hospitals suspect SARS?

WHO says that that the SARS symptoms up to a point mimic flu and one should suspect SARS only if the patient has visited a country or an area where SARS is occurring or the patient has come in contact with some one suspected to be suffering from the disease. X -ray chest in some of the patients with SARS indicates atypical pneumonia i.e. infection of the lung caused by germs or microorganisms other than the ones that usually cause pneumonia.

How severe is SARS? Can it lead to death?

SARS cannot be considered a mild disease. Fortunately, a majority, upto 90 per cent of SARS patients with proper health care, do recover without going into complications. However, 10 per cent develop severe complications such as breathing difficulty or pneumonia. Of these, about 3-4 per cent of the SARS patients die.

What is the cause of SARS? Scientists in many laboratories around the world have been trying to find the cause of SARS. It is believed to be a new corona virus because the known corona virus infections cause only a mild ARI in human beings, while they also cause disease in animals - cats, dogs, pigs, mice and birds.

How does SARS spread and for how long does a person remain a risk to others?

When some one sick with SARS coughs or sneezes, the droplets of infection can infect others who are nearby. Many other illnesses like TB and small pox have been known to spread in a similar way. It is believed that SARS virus can travel short distances. The virus can survive for sometime after coming out from the patient. Whether infection can be spread through the objects contaminated by the infected persons, is not certain yet though it is being verified.

Most patients with SARS can spread infection to others as long as they have signs of the disease. It is therefore advised that a patient who is suspected to be suffering from the symptoms of SARS should be kept isolated for a period of 10 days after the cough and fever have subsided.

How long does it take for a patient exposed to the virus to develop the illness?

After exposure to the disease, it takes about 2-7 days for the exposed patient to develop the first symptoms of the disease. In some cases this period, may be as long as 10 days.

What may be the origin of SARS?

It is very difficult to be certain how this new disease originated. What we understand though not conclusively is that it probably started in November in Guangdong province of China. How it originated there is difficult to state. The first acquisition of the disease may have come from an animal or a bird that are in close proximity to the humans.

Who are the people at the risk of getting SARS?

Travellers and businessmen who have travelled to countries that are reporting SARS. Health care workers who are responsible for providing care to patients suspected of SARS. Those who do not observe the recommended infection control measures are at risk. Household members of patients suspected to be suffering from SARS.

How should these people, who must deal with a SARS patient, protect themselves?

People who are in close contact with a patient suffering from SARS should wear such a mask. If this is not available use a surgical mask to get at least some protection from the disease. Use disposable gloves while handling the body fluids of the patients suffering from SARS. The gloves should be discarded after use and the hands should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and hot water. Sharing of utensils, towels, bedding of a SARS patient with other members of family should be avoided. The above items should be washed thoroughly with soap and hot water before reuse. Used masks and gloves should be burnt promptly and not reused.

Is there a cure for SARS?

So far, there is no specific cure for SARS. The disease should be treated like an atypical pneumonia of unknown cause. Nor is there any specific treatment for SARS. Regular consultations are going on amongst doctors to discuss the best treatment of the disease. Antibiotics are given but they are of doubtful value. Antibiotics may be useful in tackling secondary infections. In the patients who are admitted, antivirals and steroids are given but their role is not established. Supportive treatments for the symptoms and care have helped to a large extent eg. Medicines like Paracetamol to bring down the fever, and provision of ventilators to the 20 per cent of the patients with breathing difficulty who may require them. Remember that 96 per cent of all SARS patients have fully recovered with proper care and treatment.

What is the advice on the masks and gloves in the prevention of SARS?

Persons who are in close contact with a SARS patient should use an appropriate mask. Those who handle the body fluids of patient with SARS should also wear disposable gloves that should be discarded after use. Health workers should observe special care to protect themselves since they are at greater risk of getting the disease.

Ordinary masks do not protect against SARS, but there are masks that provide about 95per cent protection. WHO recommends the N95 or the N100 masks. These masks are disposable and can be used for a period upto 8 hours after which they must be replaced with a fresh mask. Healthcare workers must wear a mask when in contact with a SARS patient or while handling the body fluids of the patient. Masks need to be worn only by those who are in close contact with a patient suspected of SARS. Others who are concerned about getting the disease because their work is likely to expose them to the risk of getting the disease should seek guidance from their employer on how to protect themselves. In other situations when the contact is not close, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or clean handkerchief making sure that the mouth and nose are completely covered. Priority for using masks is for healthcare workers attending SARS cases.

What is your advice to the health care workers regarding prevention of SARS?

As mentioned already, healthcare workers have a greater risk of getting SARS since they come into contact with them than the people in the general population. They are at greater risk since they come in close contact and are exposed to the body secretions that are infected. Healthcare workers should be vigilant and they should carefully screen those who have fever, cough or other symptoms of SARS.

What has WHO done to control SARS?

WHO through its global alert and response network is working with its partners to track the epidemic. It is coordinating the effort through the various laboratories and WHO collaborating centres to identify the cause of the disease. WHO is helping to improve the understanding on how the disease is spreading. In consultation with the national governments and partners WHO has issued travel advisories and this continues to be updated. It has established a web for information sharing. Technical and logistic support is being provided to countries on request. Initial essential supplies kits to control the disease are being made available to the countries.

For further information
contact: Mrs Harsaran Bir Kaur Pandey, Information Officer,
WHO South-East Asia Region Office, New Delhi,
Mobile: 98-110-21001
Land line # 23370971 (Direct)