Information on SARS
Campus, Local, or Regional Alerts:
There are none at this time.
About SARS
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV).
To date, most reported cases of SARS in the United States have been acquired during international travel to countries where SARS is being transmitted in the community.
Symptoms of SARS
Early or mild SARS cases have symptoms very similar to influenza or a cold, so travel to an area with SARS cases or exposure to someone who has traveled to these areas is important to note. SARS begins with a high fever (temperature greater than 100.4°F or 38.0°C). Other symptoms may include: headache, body aches, and an overall feeling of discomfort. After 2 to 7 days you may develop a dry cough. Most severe SARS patients develop pneumonia.
How SARS Spreads
SARS appears to spread by close person-to-person contact. The virus is thought to be spread by respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The droplets are propelled a short distance (about 3 feet), and deposited on the mouth, nose, or eyes of a person nearby. The virus can also be spread by touching surfaces contaminated with the SARS virus and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
Close Contact Definition
For 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 beverage containers like cups, sport bottles, talking to someone within 3 feet, and touching someone directly. Close contact does not include activities like walking by a person or sitting across a waiting room or office for a brief time.
Management of Students or Faculty Potentially Exposed to SARS
- Watch for fever (take your temperature twice daily) and respiratory symptoms for 10 days following exposure.
- Exposed students should notify the Dean of Students Office (996-4857) if either fever or respiratory symptoms develop.
- Symptomatic students or faculty should not go to school or work. If the student lives in a dormitory, alternative housing arrangements will be considered.
- If symptoms develop, contact the Family Medicine Center (996-2901) for students. Staff and faculty should contact University Health Service (996-7420). FMC / UHS will notify Infection Control (996-1395).
Infection Control Recommendations
- Student or faculty member should stay home: no work, school, day care, public areas for 10 days after fever stops.
- Cover mouth and nose with tissue/mask when coughing/sneezing and wash hands with soap and friction or use waterless hand hygiene products every time you touch your nose or mouth.
- Household/dormitory contacts: hand washing or waterless hand hygiene products (gloves for fluids if possible).
- No sharing of eating/drinking utensils, sport bottles, sandwiches, towels or bedding.
- Routine cleaning with soap and hot water, Use household disinfectant (Lysol® or 1:100 diluted bleach) for environmental surfaces.
- Household/dormitory waste (e.g. body fluids, tissues, gloves) may be discarded as normal waste.
Note: if you live in a dormitory, please report your illness to the residency hall director.