How To Prevent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a severe type of pneumonia caused by a coronavirus, was first recognized in 2003. The virus is spread through the air, and patients could become infected through inhalation of infected droplets. Transmission also occurs through contact with infected surfaces. Symptoms of SARS include a fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, chills, muscle pain, fatigue, and diarrhea. Patients may also develop a dry cough, and they could have trouble breathing. In severe cases, the infection results in a reduction in oxygen saturation, and is sometimes fatal. Between November 2002 and July 2003, more than eight thousand cases of SARS were documented, and these resulted in over seven hundred deaths. After the outbreak was contained, there was an isolated case of infection at a laboratory in 2004. Since then, no reported cases of SARS have occurred.

Since there is no vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome, experts recommend for at-risk individuals to take precautions to protect themselves from possible infection. The most common safety recommendations are discussed below.

Wash Personal Belongings

During the SARS pandemic of 2002 to 2003, caregivers for patients had a much higher risk of infection than other groups. Individuals who lived with a SARS patient were particularly at-risk. To prevent the spread of the virus, experts recommended for everyone to wash their personal belongings, especially any items that may have come into contact with infected surfaces or fluids. For example, individuals who visited SARS patients were advised to wash any clothing they had worn during their visit, and they also needed to wash any jewelry they wore. Bedding and cooking utensils needed to be washed as well, and any materials handled by an infected individual needed to be cleaned separately from other materials. Patients were advised to use stronger cleaning solutions when washing personal belongings, and wearing gloves while handling belongings was also recommended.

Disinfect Household Surfaces

Household surfaces are common sites of infection for many individuals, and doctors routinely recommend for them to disinfect household surfaces. This is particularly necessary if an individual has recently come into contact with a SARS patient or if the patient has touched the surface. One of the most effective disinfectants is a bleach solution, and individuals may also choose to use alcohol-based cleansers. If bleach is not available, cleaning surfaces with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer may suffice. Since the virus can be transmitted through infected stool, it is especially important for individuals to disinfect bathroom toilets, tubs, door handles, and the faucet handles on bathroom sinks. The kitchen is another frequent source of infection, and kitchen counters, refrigerators, freezers, tables, and chairs should all be disinfected. Door handles on the bedroom doors of areas where SARS patients sleep should also be cleaned with a disinfectant. While disinfecting once a week is normally sufficient if there is no outbreak, individuals living with a patient who has SARS may need to use disinfectant more frequently, as often as once every one or two days.

Wash Hands Frequently

Since SARS and similar viruses are not preventable by vaccines, one of the strongest methods of prevention is to wash one's hands frequently. Experts suggest individuals wash their hands both before and after meals, and they should also wash their hands after cooking and after returning home from an outing. In particular, hands should be washed after using the bathroom. To effectively kill germs, scientists recommend individuals wash their hands with soapy water for at least twenty to thirty seconds. While warm water may feel more comfortable, studies show washing the hands with cold water and soap is just as effective. While washing their hands, patients should ensure they wash underneath their fingernails and between each finger. The wrists and backs of the hands should also be washed. Next, the hands should be dried with a clean towel, and patients should use the towel to turn off the faucet. If water and soap are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are equally effective. When choosing one of these sanitizers, researchers recommend that patients opt for a product containing a minimum of sixty percent alcohol. To ensure effective cleaning, patients should use an amount that completely wets both hands, and the product should be rubbed into the hands until they are dry.

Wear A Mask

Since the SARS virus is transmitted through the air, individuals may wish to wear a mask when they are around infected patients or out in public. Indeed, during the SARS pandemic in the early 2000s, individuals frequently wore masks while traveling through crowded areas and using public transportation. The mask not only helps protect individuals from infection through droplets, but it also serves to catch any droplets the wearer may release through coughing and sneezing, thus protecting others from exposure. Studies of flu and the common cold, both of which can be transmitted through the air, have shown the combination of wearing a mask and practicing proper hand washing techniques can reduce an individual's risk of these illnesses by up to eighty percent. Individuals who wish to wear a mask typically choose from facemasks or respirators. While facemasks protect against the inhalation of large droplets, smaller droplets can still pass through these masks. Respirators prevent the inhalation of both large and small droplets. Facemasks should never be reused; a new facemask should be worn each time an individual goes out or tends to a sick person.

Avoid Contact With Infected Individuals

To reduce the transmission of SARS and similar viruses, patients are advised to avoid contact with infected individuals. This is one of the most important steps to take in the prevention of airborne infections. Experts recommend SARS patients to isolate themselves. Ideally, other people should not visit someone with SARS and similar viruses until they have been free of symptoms for a minimum of ten days. If contact with sick individuals cannot be avoided, facemasks and disposable gloves should be worn during all visits, and any infected surfaces or materials such as towels, bedding, or eating utensils should be thoroughly washed and disinfected.