Common Questions about SARS

Updated: December 2003
  1. What does SARS stand for?
  2. What are the symptoms of SARS?
  3. Who may be tested for SARS?
  4. Are there SARS cases now?
  5. Where is SARS likely to re-emerge?
  6. What causes SARS?
  7. How is SARS spread?
  8. How contagious is SARS?
  9. How is SARS treated?
  10. How can I protect myself?
  11. What's being done to protect Albertans?

1. What does SARS stand for?

SARS stands for severe acute respiratory syndrome.

2. What are the symptoms of SARS?

The symptoms of SARS resemble those of many other respiratory infections, such as influenza. This means that doctors are not able to diagnose SARS on the basis of symptoms alone.

People who have symptoms of SARS infections initially have fever and cough, and may them go on to develop breathing difficulty and chest x-ray changes such as pneumonia.

3. Who may be tested for SARS?

Individuals might be tested for SARS if they exhibit the following –

  • Early clinical signs of SARS, including fever over 38C and cough or breathing difficulty; and
  • A chest X-ray that shows a condition consistent with SARS infection, such as pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome (RDS); and
  • No other cause of illness is found; and
  • Recent travel or contact with a sick traveler to mainland China, Taiwan province and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region within 10 days prior to the onset of their illness.

Other groups who might be tested include groups of persons who develop severe respiratory illness acquired in an acute care facility. Specific tests for SARS-CoV (coronavirus) may be performed after agreement with the regional Medical Officer of Health and the Provincial Health Officer.

4. Are there SARS cases now?

There are no current cases of SARS.

5. Where is SARS likely to re-emerge?

The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that SARS, if it does re-emerge, will do so in mainland China, Taiwan province or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

6. What causes SARS?

SARS is caused by a previously unknown type of corona virus. In addition, there may be factors related to the infected person's immune system or factors in the environment that affect the symptoms and severity of SARS. Normally, coronaviruses cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory symptoms, such as the common cold.

7. How is SARS spread?

This illness is acquired and spread through close contact with a person who has SARS. Infection is spread by respiratory droplet secretions that have been coughed or sneezed. Close contact means having cared for, lived with, had close face-to-face contact (within one metre) or had contact with respiratory secretions and/or body fluids of a person with SARS is required for transmission..

8. How contagious is SARS?

SARS is spread through close contact with someone who is infected with the SARS corona virus. Examples of close contact include living in the same household, providing care to someone with SARS, or having direct contact with respiratory secretions and body fluids of someone affected by SARS.

9. How is SARS treated?

There is no specific treatment for SARS. If needed, the patient’s breathing can be supported with oxygen and mechanical ventilation.

10. How can I protect myself?

Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of many respiratory infections, including SARS & influenza.

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially after close contact like shaking hands. Anti-bacterial soap is not recommended. Plain soap is best.
  • Promptly throw any tissues or other articles that come in contact with fluid from your nose, mouth or eyes into the garbage.
  • Use household cleaning products to clean non-disposable items like children's toys that may have saliva or other fluids from the nose, mouth or eyes on them.
  • Do not share personal items, such as drinking cups and eating utensils.

11. What’s being done to protect Albertans?

Alberta Health and Wellness’ plan to control and contain SARS in Alberta is similar to a plan prepared for pandemic influenza. This ensures the provincial SARS plan is co-ordinated with federal, municipal, and health authority response.