Scared of SARS

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Scared of SARS?

 

" I'm concerned about this new illness reported to be coming from Asia. I shop

in an Asian grocery market quite often. How do you catch this disease and is

there any reason why I should stay away from the market? "

 

-- Jennifer Manago

 

(Published 04/08/2003)

 

 

The new disease is SARS -- severe acute respiratory syndrome. Shopping in an

Asian market on this side of the Pacific should not be cause for concern. There

is no evidence that the virus that causes SARS could survive travel from Asia on

imported products. It seems to be passed via sustained face to face contact, but

because 107 cases occurred in a single apartment tower in Hong Kong, health

authorities are investigating the possibility that it may also spread through

air, water, sewage and contaminated objects. Most of the people infected

elsewhere have been relatives of the patients or health care workers who treated

them.

 

SARS began in China and most cases have occurred there and in Hong Kong.

Although the number of cases changes daily, as I write this the World Health

Organization count is 141 cases and no deaths in the United States and 90 cases

(with nine deaths) in Canada. Investigating scientists suspect that SARS is a

mutated strain of coronavirus, one of the bugs that cause the common cold.

 

Most cases begin with a fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C) often accompanied by

chills, headache, body aches, fatigue and mild respiratory symptoms. In the

early stages, patients may also have decreased white blood cell counts and

diarrhea. After three to seven days, patients may develop a dry cough that

increases in severity

 

Between 80 to 90 percent of all patients get better in five to six days.

However, in 10 to 20 percent of cases respiratory symptoms worsen until lung

congestion requires mechanical ventilation to supply adequate oxygen. The

severity of SARS among patients is highly variable, ranging from mild symptoms

to death. The death rate is 3 to 4 percent. We don’t know yet how long a patient

who has had SARS remains contagious.

 

The CDC recommends washing your hands frequently to guard against infection.

This is always good advice, especially during cold and flu season. These

infections spread when sick people touch their noses or mouths and then touch

surfaces such as doorknobs, telephones or elevator buttons. If you’re the next

one to touch these objects, you can pick up the bug.

 

Health authorities are warning against non-essential travel to China and Hong

Kong, but if you have no travel plans and have had no contact with anyone

exposed to SARS, there is no reason to worry. For peace of mind, you might take

an herbal immune-enhancer such as astraglaus, which is nontoxic and has a good

track record in warding off viral respiratory infections.

 

Dr. Andrew Weil

 

 

 

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