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University Presents
Facts About SARS
There
have been no cases of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome) reported at The University of Texas
at Tyler, but campus officials are implementing
procedures to protect students, faculty and
staff from the highly contagious, flu-like disease.
Frequently
Asked Questions
What is UT Tyler doing?
A task force of university representatives in
areas of public health and environmental and
public safety, and administrators responsible
for academic and student services is tracking
SARS developments continuously and will recommend
strategies and keep the campus informed. UT
Tyler is working with its sister institution,
The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler
(UTHCT), in developing and implementing procedures
should a member of the UT Tyler community contract
SARS.
What about traveling?
In line with World Health Organization (WHO)
and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) recommendations, the university
is urging all members of the university community
to avoid nonessential travel or elective travel
to affected countries until these advisories
are lifted.
What
can I do to protect myself?
SARS cases have been identified in those individuals
who have either recently traveled to an area
that is infected or who have had close contact
with someone with the disease.
You
should be aware of the symptoms of SARS and
if you fit the profile seek immediate medical
attention.
As
with any communicable disease, practicing good
hygiene, particularly frequent washing of hands
and disinfecting of work areas, also is recommended.
Basic
Information About SARS
A new disease called SARS
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is
a respiratory illness that has recently been
reported in Asia, North America, and Europe.
This fact sheet provides basic information about
the disease and what is being done to combat
its spread. To find out more about SARS, go
to www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars
and www.who.int/csr/sars/en/.
The Web sites are updated daily.
Symptoms
of SARS
In general, SARS begins with a fever greater
than 100.4°F [>38.0°C]. Other symptoms
may include headache, an overall feeling of
discomfort, and body aches. Some people also
experience mild respiratory symptoms. After
2 to 7 days, SARS patients may develop a dry
cough and have trouble breathing.
How
SARS spreads
The primary way that SARS appears to spread
is by close person-to-person contact. Most cases
of SARS have involved people who cared for or
lived with someone with SARS, or had direct
contact with infectious material (for example,
respiratory secretions) from a person who has
SARS. Potential ways in which SARS can be spread
include touching the skin of other people or
objects that are contaminated with infectious
droplets and then touching your eye(s), nose,
or mouth. This can happen when someone who is
sick with SARS coughs or sneezes droplets onto
themselves, other people, or nearby surfaces.
It also is possible that SARS can be spread
more broadly through the air or by other ways
that are currently not known.
Who
is at risk for SARS
Most of the U.S. cases of SARS have occurred
among travelers returning to the United States
from other parts of the world affected by SARS.
There have been very few cases as a result of
spread to close contacts such as family members
and health care workers. Currently, there is
no evidence that SARS is spreading more widely
in the community in the United States.
Possible
cause of SARS
Scientists at CDC and other laboratories have
detected a previously unrecognized coronavirus
in patients with SARS. The new coronavirus is
the leading hypothesis for the cause of SARS.
CDC
recommendations for individuals who think they
might have SARS
People with symptoms of SARS (fever greater
than 100.4°F [>38.0°C] accompanied
by a cough and/or difficulty breathing) should
consult a health-care provider. To help the
health-care provider make a diagnosis, tell
them about any recent travel to places where
SARS has been reported or whether there was
contact with someone who had these symptoms.
To find out more about SARS, go to www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars
and www.who.int/csr/sars/en/
or call the CDC public response hotline at (888)
246-2675 (English), (888) 246-2857 (Español),
or (866) 874-2646 (TTY).
The
University of Texas Health Center at Tyler
UTHCT has special facilities and health care
providers for managing infectious pulmonary
diseases such as SARS. However, due to risk
of spread to providers and other patients in
the health care setting, it is best to contact
the Health Center through new patient referrals
at (903) 877-7217 prior to a visit, if you are
concerned that you may have SARS.
Procedures
for Suspected Cases of SARS
Suspected cases of SARS must meet the following
criteria:
A
suspected case of SARS is defined as a respiratory
illness of unknown cause with onset since February
1, 2003 and meeting the following criteria:
-
In the past 10 days the person has
traveled to an area affected by SARS,* or
had close contact with a patient suspected
of having SARS (having cared for, lived with,
or had direct contact with respiratory secretions
and/or body fluids),
AND
-
has one or more of the following symptoms.
-
A temperature measured on a thermometer of
>100.4° F (>38° C) or
-
One or more symptoms of respiratory illness
(e.g. cough, shortness of breath, difficulty
breathing, or chest x-ray findings of either
pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome)
*Areas with documented or suspected community
transmission of SARS have been linked to travel
to Peoples' Republic of China (i.e., mainland
China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region);
Hanoi, Vietnam; Singapore; and Toronto, Canada.
If
you, or someone you know, meet the above criteria
do not simply appear at the emergency room.
Please call New Patient Referrals at (903) 877-7217,
tell them about your concern regarding SARS,
and arrange to be seen at The University of
Texas Health Center at Tyler (UTHCT).
UTHCT
has long been recognized as a leader in infectious
respiratory diseases and has the facilities
and expertise to provide treatment as recommended
by the CDC. The latest CDC recommendations can
be found at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/.
If
you have any questions, please contact Environmental
Health & Safety at 566-7011.
Contact
person: Emily
Battle, (903) 565-5604
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