22 Mysterious Pneumonia Cases in U.S.
22 Mysterious Pneumonia Cases in U.S.
Officials "Cautiously Optimistic" About Test for SARS
"So in the absence of a cause, good supportive care can promote recovery," says Gerberding.
Until the cause of the mysterious pneumonia is identified, WHO broadly defines a case of severe acute respiratory syndrome as someone with:
Most of the SARS cases are concentrated in Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore, but other suspected cases have been reported in southern China, Taiwan, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Ireland, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
Gerberding says severe acute respiratory syndrome appears to be transmitted only through close, personal contact with an affected individual, such as a family member or healthcare worker of an infected individual. There is no evidence to suggest that casual contact with someone with SARS can result in infection.
Symptoms of the mysterious pneumonia or the respiratory illness caused by SARS develop within two to seven days after exposure. A CDC health alert advises travelers to Southeast Asia to seek medical attention immediately if they become ill with a fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, within 10 days of travel to affected areas. A related travel advisory also states that U.S. citizens planning nonessential travel to the regions affected by the SARS outbreak may wish to postpone their trips until further notice.
Click here for answers to commonly asked questions about severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
22 Mysterious Pneumonia Cases in U.S.
Officials "Cautiously Optimistic" About Test for SARS
"So in the absence of a cause, good supportive care can promote recovery," says Gerberding.
Until the cause of the mysterious pneumonia is identified, WHO broadly defines a case of severe acute respiratory syndrome as someone with:
- A fever of greater than 100.4 degrees;
- One or more of the following respiratory symptoms: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or an X-ray finding of pneumonia;
- And either close contact with a known SARS case or a history of travel to one of the affected areas within the last 10 days before the emergence of symptoms.
Most of the SARS cases are concentrated in Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore, but other suspected cases have been reported in southern China, Taiwan, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Ireland, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
Gerberding says severe acute respiratory syndrome appears to be transmitted only through close, personal contact with an affected individual, such as a family member or healthcare worker of an infected individual. There is no evidence to suggest that casual contact with someone with SARS can result in infection.
Symptoms of the mysterious pneumonia or the respiratory illness caused by SARS develop within two to seven days after exposure. A CDC health alert advises travelers to Southeast Asia to seek medical attention immediately if they become ill with a fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, within 10 days of travel to affected areas. A related travel advisory also states that U.S. citizens planning nonessential travel to the regions affected by the SARS outbreak may wish to postpone their trips until further notice.
Click here for answers to commonly asked questions about severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).