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Back to Health Topics pageSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)General InformationWhat is SARS? Persons Arriving from Areas of Current or Suspected Community Transmission of SARS Includes any travel (or transit in an airport) to mainland China
and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of
China; Singapore; Taiwan; Toronto, Canada What is SARS?As defined by the CDC What is the definition of close contact?Close contact is defined as having cared for, having lived with, or having direct contact with respiratory secretions. Potential ways in which SARS can be spread include touching the skin of other persons or objects that are contaminated with infectious droplets and then touching the eye, nose, or mouth. This can happen when someone who is sick with SARS coughs or sneezes droplets onto themselves, other persons, or nearby surfaces. It is also possible that SARS can be spread more broadly through the air or by other ways that are currently not known. Casual contact with a SARS patient such as attending the same class or public gathering has not resulted in documented transmission in the United States. To date, there is no evidence to suggest that SARS is transmitted from asymptomatic individuals (i.e. a person without signs of illness such as fever, cough, etc). If you are a close contact of a person with SARSStudents who are close contacts of person with SARS and who develop fever or respiratory symptoms should follow the procedure under “If you suspect you are ill”. Inform the doctor that you are a close contact of a person with SARS. Travel advisories vs. travel alertsThe CDC has posted both travel advisories and travel alerts. The CDC is constantly reviewing and updating the list of countries under travel advisory and travel alert. Please refer to the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ for the most current information. Travel Advisories notify travelers that a disease is occurring in a geographic area. There is a recommendation against nonessential travel to the area. Areas with travel advisories on 5/19/03 include Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Travel Alerts notify travelers that an outbreak of disease has occurred in the geographic area but there is NO recommendation against nonessential travel to the area. Areas under travel alert on 5/19/03 include Toronto, Canada and Singapore. Should I be concerned if a student or colleague plans to return to Athens from an area with alert or advisory status?Most of the cases of SARS in the U.S. have occurred in travelers returning to the U.S. from areas with SARS. However, to date, there have been no cases of SARS transmission by individuals who have no symptoms of illness. What if a student has been exposed to SARS and has no symptoms?Students who may have been exposed to SARS either through travel or through contact with a SARS patient, should monitor for fever by measuring their temperature twice daily and by monitoring for respiratory symptoms for a full 10 days after exposure. Students need not limit their activities outside the home and should not be excluded from school or other public areas. What if a student has been exposed to SARS and now has symptoms?If students develop fever OR respiratory symptoms, students should call the Health Center at 706-542-8666 to speak to a physician. If the Health Center is closed, the student should call Athens Regional Medical Center 706-475-3304/706-475-7000 or St Mary’s Hospital 706-354-3100 or 706-548-7581 and speak to the Triage Nurse. The student should tell the nurse or doctor of the recent travel and symptoms prior to appearing at the facility so that proper precautions can be taken to prevent potential spread of the virus to people in waiting areas or to the staff. Who is at risk for SARS?To date, most reported patients with SARS in the U.S. have been exposed through foreign travel to countries with community transmission of SARS or through close contacts, such as family members and health care workers who have been caring for SARS patients. How can I protect myself against SARS?The SARS virus is shed in the tears, saliva, urine and feces of infected
individuals. Are surgical masks recommended for protection from SARS?Surgical masks are not routinely recommended for public use to prevent SARS. However, people who have or think they may have SARS should wear a surgical mask during close contact with people who are not infected to prevent the spread of infectious droplets. When a person with SARS cannot wear a surgical mask, household members should wear surgical masks when in close contact with the patient. After your return or arrival to Athens:Persons returning from one of the affected areas should monitor their health for 10 days. Watch for fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Consider active surveillance by taking your temperature twice daily. If your temperature is 100.4°F or 38°C or higher, you have a fever. If you suspect that you are ill:If you become ill with fever or respiratory symptoms during this period:
If the Health Center is closed, you should call one of the local hospital Emergency Rooms:
It is important to call before going to the Health Center or Emergency Room so arrangements can be made, if necessary, to prevent transmission to others in the health-care setting. Persons with symptoms of SARS should follow the same precautions recommended for people with SARS. Persons with SARS or symptoms of SARS should adhere to the following precautionsThe person who is ill should cover their mouth and nose with a facial tissue when coughing or sneezing. If possible, they should wear a surgical mask during close contact with healthy people to prevent spread of infectious droplets. If the sick person is unable to wear a surgical mask, other persons should wear surgical masks when in close contact with the person who is ill. Use of disposable gloves should be considered for any direct contact with body fluids of a person with SARS. 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. All close contacts staying with a person with SARS 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). People with SARS should avoid sharing eating utensils, towels, and bedding with others, although these items can be used by others after routine cleaning, such as washing or laundering with soap and hot water. Environmental surfaces (e.g., toilets, sinks) soiled by body fluids should be cleaned with a household disinfectant according to manufacturer's instructions; gloves should be worn during this activity. Wash hands afterwards and throw the gloves away. Other close contacts staying with a person with SARS do not need to restrict their outside activities unless they develop symptoms of SARS, such as a fever or respiratory illness. Where can I get more
information on SARS? |
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University Health Center
University of Georgia 370 River Road; Athens, GA 30602 706-542-1162 Email the Health Center
The Health Center is
fully accredited by the Joint Commission. 
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