SARS: epidemiology, clinical presentation, management, and infection control measures - PubMed (original) (raw)

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SARS: epidemiology, clinical presentation, management, and infection control measures

Priya Sampathkumar et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2003 Jul.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a recently recognized febrile respiratory illness that first appeared in southern China in November 2002, has since spread to several countries, and has resulted in more than 8000 cases and more than 750 deaths. The disease has been etiologically linked to a novel coronavirus that has been named the SARS-associated coronavirus. It appears to be spread primarily by large droplet transmission. There is no specific therapy, and management consists of supportive care. This article summarizes currently available information regarding the epidemiology, clinical features, etiologic agent, and modes of transmission of the disease, as well as infection control measures appropriate to contain SARS.

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Figure 1

Figure 1

Chain of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome from the initial patient to other guests at Hotel M in Hong Kong in 2003. *All guests except G and K stayed on the ninth floor of the hotel. Guest G stayed on the 14th floor, and guest K stayed on the 11th floor. †Guests L and M (spouses) were not at Hotel M during the same time as index guest A but were at the hotel during the same times as guests G and H and were ill during this period. HCWs = health care workers. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Figure 2

Figure 2

Screening algorithm used to triage patients at first point of contact. *List of affected countries may change; the evaluating physician should check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site on severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) for the most current epidemiological case definition. NIOSH = National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health; TB = tuberculosis.

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References

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    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Updated interim U.S. case definition of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) Available at: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/casedefinition.htm Accessibility verified June 5, 2003.
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Updated interim surveillance case definition for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)—United States, April 29, 2003. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2003;52:391–393. -PubMed
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