Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory illness that has recently been reported in Asia, North America, and Europe. SARS is believed to be caused by a new coronavirus strain that is spread by close person-to-person contact. Symptoms of SARS typically begin with a fever >100.4[degrees]F [>38.0[degrees]C], headache, an overall feeling of discomfort, body aches, and mild respiratory symptoms. After 3 to 7 days, a lower respiratory phase begins with the onset of a dry, nonproductive cough or dyspnea, which might be accompanied by or progress to hypoxemia.
For updated clinical case definitions visit:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Case Definition:http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/casedefinition.htm
World Health Organization Case Definition:http://www.who.int/csr/sars/casedefinition/en/
For general information about SARS visit:http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/
Healthcare Workers at Risk
Healthcare workers have been identified as a primary "at risk" group for exposure to SARS. Caring for and treating persons with SARS exposes individuals to infectious droplets. Possible ways SARS can be transmitted include touching people's skin or objects contaminated with infectious droplets, then touching your own eyes, nose, or mouth or through airborne inhalation of aerosolized droplets. The CDC reports that "transmission to health-care workers appears to have occurred after close contact with symptomatic individuals (e.g., persons with fever or respiratory symptoms) before recommended infection control precautions for SARS were implemented (i.e., unprotected exposures)." In addition, the causative agent could also remain viable for extended periods of time after drying on environmental surfaces.
Infection Control Measures
The risk of transmission of SARS increases when caring for patients in the absence of appropriate infection control precautions. Instituting proper infection control measures can significantly reduce the risk of exposure and prevent the development of SARS among healthcare workers. As a primary step in infection control, screening and early identification of suspected SARS cases is essential. Prompt and appropriate isolation of patients suspected of having SARS should also be done. At a minimum, healthcare workers should use the following precautions:
[black small square]Standard Precautions
* Hand hygiene.
* Eye protection for all patient contact.
[black small square]Airborne Precautions
* Isolation room with negative pressure relative to the surrounding area.
* Use of an N-95 filtering disposable respirator (if unavailable, healthcare personnel evaluating and caring for suspect SARS patients should wear a surgical mask).
* Proper fit-testing respiratory protection is essential.
* Higher level respiratory protection should be considered, especially for aerosol-generating procedures.
[black small square]Contact Precautions
* Gown and gloves should be worn for contact with the patient or their environment.
For a list of updated CDC Infection Control Guidelines visit:http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/ic.htm
The following is a list of specific CDC Infection Control Guidelines for healthcare settings:
Updated Interim Domestic Infection Control Guidance in the Health Care and Community Setting for Patients With Suspected SARS:http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/infectioncontrol.htm
Updated Interim Domestic Guidelines for Triage and Disposition of Patients Who May Have SARS:http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/triage_interim_guidance.htm
Infection Control Precautions for Aerosol-Generating Procedures on Patients Who Have Suspected SARS:http://ww.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/aerosolinfectioncontrol.htm
Respiratory Protection:http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/res-protection.htm
Interim Domestic Guidance for Management of Exposures to SARS for Healthcare and Other Institutional Settings:http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/exposureguidance.htm
Interim Recommendations for Cleaning and Disinfection of the SARS Patient Environment:http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/cleaningpatientenviro.htm
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention