Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

What is SARS?
SARS is a respiratory illness that has recently been reported in Asia, North America, and Europe.

Is SARS contagious?  How is SARS spread?
Yes.  The principal way SARS appears to be spread is through droplet transmission; namely, when someone sick with SARS coughs or sneezes droplets into the air and someone else breathes them in.  It is possible that SARS can be transmitted more broadly through the air or from objects that have become contaminated.

What are the symptoms and signs of SARS?
The illness usually begins within 2-10 days of an exposure to SARS with a fever greater than 100.4ºF.  The fever is sometimes associated with chills or other symptoms, including headache, general feeling of discomfort, and body aches.  Some people also experience mild respiratory symptoms at the outset.

Suspected SARS patients may go on to develop a dry, nonproductive cough that might be accompanied by or progress to the point where insufficient oxygen is getting to the blood.  In very severe cases, patients could require mechanical ventilation.

Guidance for First Responders and/or EMTs
Patients encountered by first responders and/or EMTs with a fever above 100.4°F and a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing who have traveled to China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and/or Singapore, should be treated as suspected cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).  This is also true of patients who present with these symptoms and have been in recent contact with a person with a suspected case of SARS. 

First responders and/or EMTs encountering suspected SARS cases should use appropriate standard precautions (such as hand washing with soap and water) and personal protective equipment for contact and airborne precautions including gloves, face and eye protection, fluid and airborne droplet protection.  Transporting agencies should advise the receiving medical treatment facility so proper isolation precautions can be implemented.

For more information on transportation of patients with suspected or known SARS, see the Centers for Disease Control Health Topic Interim Guidance: EMS Transport for Patients With Suspected Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

Last Revised: October 24, 2008