A Quick Lowdown on SARS

SARS can be found anywhere in the world, even though the particular outbreak mentioned above started in Asia. Anywhere where infected people traveled was a potential outbreak just waiting to happen. Even Toronto, Canada had health travel warnings issued temporarily at one time.

Infection Control

SARS put quite a scare in travelers worldwide a few years back. Known also as severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS attacks the respiratory system and is caused by the corona virus family of microorganisms. This illness began in china in late 2002 and various Asian countries also suffered with outbreaks of the illness.

What was scary was that the World Health Organization (WHO) did not know how it started. However, by the end of that particular outbreak in June 2003 approximately 10% of the people who contracted SARS died. While that is still low odds, it is quite a scary figure. There has not been a major outbreak like that since.

SARS can be found anywhere in the world, even though the particular outbreak mentioned above started in Asia. Anywhere where infected people traveled was a potential outbreak just waiting to happen. Even Toronto, Canada had health travel warnings issued temporarily at one time. The problem with SARS is that it can reappear practically anywhere in the world and scientists have been working hard on ways to lessen the severity of the virus.

The virus that causes SARS can lives for several days on surfaces like telephones, door knobs, shopping carts, bathroom handles, and other common surfaces in public places. That is why SARS in so serious. Infected individuals can easily spread the virus to others via coughing and sneezing. The respiratory droplets can be breathed in by other individuals or touched when they land on surfaces.

SARS symptoms typically present themselves about two days to one week after contact exposure. High fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, general malaise and some difficulty breathing are just a few of the initial symptoms of SARS. There are some reports that diarrhea, coughing, sore throat, runny nose and vomiting or nausea can also occur.

Infection Control Course Buy disinfectants to treat the hard surfaces in your home that could harbor viruses and bacteria. Stock up on hand sanitizer for those times when water is not accessible. Make sure that you also have bleach handy to decontaminate other items and surfaces as needed. Infection Control Guidelines

People with compromised immune systems and those with weaker ones like the elderly or infants often develop pneumonia as a result. Some people end up hospitalized because they need help breathing with ventilators and IV solutions. Doctors don't really know how long that people are infections once they are being medically treated. However, the common consensus that once the fever is past and coughing subsides, it is generally safe to go out in public again.

When it comes avoiding SARS, the only thing you can do is practice proper hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water and keep at least three feet away from people who are suspected to have SARS or show SARS-related symptoms. Do not share towels or utensils and wear a mask if a person in your home is infected.

There are no vaccines yet for SARS but scientists and health officials are working on it. Treatment typically consists taking care of the symptoms although some anti-viral drugs are being tested for effectiveness.

The bottom line is that SARS is a tricky disease that can appear practically anywhere in the world. And because it is just as contagious as the common cold, that makes it all the more dangerous.

Latest News Regarding Infection Control ?

07/24/2008
Summer Infection Danger (KSN - KODE Joplin)
Logging hours in the pool may be the ideal way to unwind in the heat. But if you're not careful, summer fun could mean bad news for your health, according to Freeman Infection Control Officer Teri Koch. "You need to look and be sure.

Summer Infection Danger (KSN - KODE Joplin)

07/21/2008
Booklet: 'Infection Control for Dummies' (UPI)
BOISE, Idaho, July 21 (UPI) -- Washing hands for 20 seconds with attention to fingernails will help prevent and control infections, the author of "Infection Control for Dummies" said.

Booklet: 'Infection Control for Dummies' (UPI)

07/24/2008
Staph infection kills SoCal high school wrestler (Los Angeles Times)
A high school wrestler died from complications of a drug-resistant staph infection and a teammate was being treated for the illness.

Staph infection kills SoCal high school wrestler (Los Angeles Times)

07/24/2008
High School Wrestler Dies From Staph Infection (FOX 40 Sacramento)
DOWNEY — A high school wrestler died from complications of a drug-resistant staph infection and a teammate was being treated for the illness. Noah Armendariz, 17, died Sunday at Children's Hospital of Orange County from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

High School Wrestler Dies From Staph Infection (FOX 40 Sacramento)

07/24/2008
Staph infection kills SoCal high school wrestler (Los Angeles Times)
A high school wrestler died from complications of a drug-resistant staph infection and a teammate was being treated for the illness.

Staph infection kills SoCal high school wrestler (Los Angeles Times)

07/24/2008
High School Wrestler Dies From Staph Infection (FOX 40 Sacramento)
DOWNEY — A high school wrestler died from complications of a drug-resistant staph infection and a teammate was being treated for the illness. Noah Armendariz, 17, died Sunday at Children's Hospital of Orange County from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

High School Wrestler Dies From Staph Infection (FOX 40 Sacramento)

07/23/2008
QEH officials confident bacterial outbreak is under control (The Guardian)
Three months and 12 patients later, the vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) outbreak is under control at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown.

QEH officials confident bacterial outbreak is under control (The Guardian)

07/24/2008
CMV infections affect more than just patients with compromised immune systems, researchers find (EurekAlert!)
An infection due to a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV), which most commonly affects people with compromised immune systems, can also affect hospital intensive-care patients who have no immune-system problems, University of Washington researchers have found.

CMV infections affect more than just patients with compromised immune systems, researchers find (EurekAlert!)