Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Due to current international concerns about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the following information about symptoms and procedures should be noted.  A suspected case of SARS is defined as a respiratory illness of unknown origin with onset since February 1, 2003 and meeting the following criteria:

• In the past ten days the person has traveled to an area affected by 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 greater than 100.4 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)
• Telephone contact and/or a possible appointment for medical attention should be made with The University Health Clinic (www.uttyler.edu/clinic) if diagnostic criteria listed in items one or two appears to be met by students, faculty or staff, or others.  Their telephone number is (903) 566-0278.  Questions can also be addressed by contacting The Department of Environmental Health and Safety at the University of Texas at Tyler at (903) 566-7011 or the CDC SARS website.