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SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS)

The following information was compiled from the various government agencies and health authorities in Singapore.  It should only be used as a set of general guidelines. The SGDF strongly recommends that anyone experiencing the symptoms of SARS, to seek medical attention immediately.  For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation websites.

SARS is the short form for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.  SARS is an atypical pneumonia for which the cause has not been established.  Atypical pneumonia refers to an infection of the lung that is caused by certain organisms such as Mycoplasma, Legionella and Chlamydia.  However, SARS is a new type of atypical pneumonia and the Ministry of Health (MOH) is finding out more about it as they gain more experiences. SARS, like any other atypical pneumonia, is a serious infection that can lead to death in some cases.

It has not yet been scientifically established how SARS is transmitted, but the working hypothesis is that it is transmitted via droplets - sneezes, coughs or bodily fluids.  Under the current thinking, these droplets have to land on an uninfected person to transmit infection.

Everyone today is worried about SARS and whether they could be affected by it.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has taken extra precautionary steps, beyond WHO's recommended measures to minimise the spread of SARS. It is unlikely that your or your loved ones can contract SARS in Singapore, particularly if you have not travelled to the affected areas or had not come into contact with a SARS patient.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ABOUT SARS

1. How contagious is SARS?

	Close contact with an infected person is needed for SARS to spread from one person to another
	Close contact means: - having cared for or lived with a SARS patient, or - had direct contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids of a person with SARS

2. Should I be worried about getting SARS?

	SARS is still limited in its spread in Singapore.
	Majority of SARS cases are still confined to family members, friends and close contacts of SARS patients and hospital staff who had attended to SARS patients before strict infection control measures were implemented.
	There is no evidence at present of the spread of SARS in the general community.

3. Is there any vaccine against SARS?

	No known vaccine available yet.
	Most SARS patients recover by themselves

4. I have flu-like symptoms, does it mean I have SARS?

Not everyone with flu-like symptoms has SARS. But, it you are unwell, see a doctor first.

5. Do I need to wear a face mask?

	If you are unwell or have fever, you should avoid crowded places. If you have to go out to see the doctor, you should wear a face mask
	At present, there is no need for the general public in Singapore to wear face masks

6. If I have travelled to an affected country, will I get SARS?

	Not everyone who has travelled to SARS-affected countries will be infected. They should however monitor their health closely. If they develop any symptoms, go to Tan Tock Seng Hospital Emergency Department (Singapore) for assessment. They should not go to work.
	If you do not develop any symptoms of SARS within 10 days following your travel to the affected places, it is unlikely that you are infected.

7. Will people who visit Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Singapore) spread the virus to others?

	The non-SARS patients warded in Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Singapore) are physically separated from the SARS wards.
	No visitors are allowed for SARS patients
	All hospital staff in Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Singapore) are taking extra precautions for infection control so that they are protected from catching SARS and are not infectious themselves

8. What is the purpose of the Home Quarantine Order (HQO)?  Who is affected by it?

The Home Quarantine Order is an added precautionary measure to help contain the spread of SARS. Through our contact tracing, we isolate people who have been exposed to SARS patients as early as possible. They are not infectious but are asked to stay at home as a precaution. After 10 days, if they remain well, with no symptoms of SARS, the quarantine order is lifted.

9. What is the follow up for SARS patients who have been discharged?

	Only SARS patients who have recovered will be discharged
	Given medical leave for another 14 days and advised to stay at home
	Discharged patients are no longer infectious

10. Where can I get updates on the SARS situation in Singapore?

Visit the home page of the Ministry of Health (MOH) for daily updates of the outbreak and relevant press releases, and answers to frequently asked questions on SARS

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

 

	Heed travel advisories NOT to travel to Hong Kong, Guangdong (China) and Hanoi (Vietnam).
	Seek immediate medical attention at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Singapore), if you develop the symptoms and have travelled to the affected countries or are a contact or persons diagnosed with SARS.
	Be responsible. If you are unwell, wear a face mask to protect those around you. Do not go to work or school. See a doctor immediately.
	Observe personal hygiene: cover your mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands with soap and water.
	Build up your body's resistance by having proper diet, adequate rest and exercise