SARS  

What we know about SARS

    Sars is defined as "SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATARY SYNDROME" a viral infection ,attacking the human beings, a new mutation of coronavirus affecting all age groups , leading to highest number of deaths among people with pre-existing chronic conditions.Suspected to have originated in Guandong ,China, causes atypical pneumonia in infected patients .

What is Atypical pneumonia?                 

Typical Pneumonia is a lung infection , where the alveoli in the infected area fill up with exudates, blocking the oxygen transfer.Chest x-ray shows a fuzzy shadow without clear boundaries.

Coronavirus family                                

Cause mild to moderate tespiratory illness such as common cold , able to survive in dry air for up to 3 hrs, can be killed by exposur to ultra-violet light , so they will not survive under sunlight , mutate easily and each mutation triggers off an epidemic of respiratory disease . Amew mutation which  arose in Guangdong is suspected of causing SARS.The name "coronavirus" refers to the protein molecule surrounding the virus, making it look like a crown (corona=crown.)

Methods of Transmission :-                                 

From person to person by droplet transmission, when a sick person coughs or sneezes, the virus carried in saliva droplets to people nearby, infecting them.Corona virus family can survive in dry air /surfaces for up to 3 hrs.and crystallizes to float in the air like dust , causing epidemic outbreaks.

Virulence & Incubation period: -                       

SARA virus is very virulent. After the virus enters the body it takes 3-10 days incubation period before the disease appears.During this period the person is not infective.

Symptoms: -

Cough,  nasal congestion, sneezing,   high fever(39^oC or higher),severe muscle and joint pains,   difficulty in breathing (similar to asthma) ,                 continuous localized pain in the chest- which increases when taking breath.

Risk : -

•Customer Engineers, Clinical Specialists and sales people who visit hospitals are under risk of contracting SARS, and must take precautions.

•In the event an employee is suspected of having contracted the disease, he/she must must take steps not to expose colleagues and customers to risk.

 

•Precautions must be taken when entering all ICU, MICU, CCU, SICU and respiratory therapy units, regardless of whether the hospital/unit is known to have SARS cases.

•Tan Tock Seng Hospital must be visited only where absolutely necessary, and specialized safety procedures in place at the hospital must be followed

 

Precautions To Take When Visiting ICUs

•Leave all personal belongings, not relevant to the visit, in the office.

•Take a N95 or FFP-1grade mask from the office.

•Before entering the unit, put on the mask as per instructions, and check for leakage.

•After entering the unit, ask for a pair of surgical gloves before handling equipment.

•Do not place belongings, tools etc on the floor or on exposed surfaces. Request a paper towel from the staff to spread on the surface.

•If you need to bring equipment/parts back to the office, have them sterilized according to hospital procedure by a member of the ICU staff

   When Leaving The ICU…                                         

•After exiting the unit, remove the mask first and discard it, then remove the gloves.

•Wash hands thoroughly with chlorhexidine scrub solution.

•Do not re-use a mask.

•Do not touch a used mask without wearing gloves

Safety In Public Places

 

•So far, all recorded SARS cases have developed the disease only after having prolonged and close contact with a patient (eg. family members, doctors and nurses).

•There are no recorded instances, where the disease was transmitted via casual contact, traveling in public transport etc.

•A person can only pass on the infection after symptoms appear.

•Only a very small percentage of the population have the disease (eg 90 out of 4 million), and they are sequestered.

•Therefore, wearing masks in public places and transport will not give any appreciable protective benefit.

•However, if you suspect that you have become infected with SARS, wearing a mask when traveling to the hospital is your civic responsibility

What To Do If You Think You Have SARS

•If you develop fever, cough and muscle pain:

–Inform your supervisor

–Go to the company doctor immediately

•If you are quarantined by health authorities:

–Inform your supervisor

–Compile a list of colleagues and customers you have had contact with for the last 3 days and forward it via e-mail to your supervisor

–Do not leave your house for any reason, or entertain visitors during the quarantine period

–If you develop any of the symptoms during the quarantine period, inform relevant health authorities immediately .

SARS Treatment

People suspected of having SARS should be evaluated immediately by a physician and hospitalized under isolation if they meet the definition of a suspected or probable case.

Antibiotics are sometimes given in an attempt to treat bacterial causes of atypical pneumonia. Antiviral medications have also been used. High doses of steroids have been employed to reduce lung inflammation. In some serious cases, serum from people who have already gotten well from SARS (convalescent serum) has been given. Evidence of general benefit of these treatments has been inconclusive.

Other supportive care such as supplemental oxygen, chest physiotherapy, or mechanical ventilation is sometimes needed.

 

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This site is Prepared / Dr.Seshagirirao,Vandana-MBBS Srikakulam_A.P(India)

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