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Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) - Prevention

Alternative Names

SARS

Prevention:

Reducing your contact with someone with SARS lowers the risk for the disease. Ways to do this may include limiting travel to locations where there is an uncontrolled outbreak. When possible, avoid direct contact with persons who have SARS for at least 10 days after their fever and other symptoms are gone.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says hand hygiene is the most important part of SARS prevention. This might include hand washing or cleaning hands with an alcohol-based instant hand sanitizer.

Persons should be taught to cover the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Respiratory secretions should be considered infectious, which means no sharing of food, drink, or utensils. Commonly touched surfaces can be cleaned with an EPA approved disinfectant.

In some situations, appropriate masks and goggles may be useful for preventing spread of the disease. Gloves might be used in handling potentially infectious secretions.

  • Reviewed last on: 3/2/2009
  • David A. Kaufman, M.D., Section Chief, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital-Yale New Haven Health System, and Assistant Clinical Professor, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Vijayanand P, Wilkins E, Woodhead M. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS): a review. Clin Med. 2004 Mar-Apr;4(2):152-60.

Ng EK, Lo YM. Molecular diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome. Methods Mol Biol. 2006;336:163-75.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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