Common Sense is Key on SARS

Thursday, July 31, 2003

ROCHESTER, Minn. — In just a few months, SARS hysteria swept around the world. As concerns over severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) spread from China to Hong Kong, Vietnam to Canada, so too did often irrational fear. Specialty medical editor James Steckelberg, M.D., an infectious diseases specialist, shares his thoughts about the SARS scare on MayoClinic.com at www.mayoclinic.com/health/sars/DS00501. "I've received many questions about SARS from both patients and colleagues," explains Dr. Steckelberg. "You can avoid the madness simply by taking some prudent steps and going on with life."

People don't need to run to the store for face masks, nor do they need to wear them every time they board a plane. There have been cases of SARS in the United States, and there are still fears of a widespread outbreak. But it's not known that a widespread outbreak will occur.

Dr. Steckelberg recommends some key facts to keep in mind regarding SARS:

* As of July 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported no ongoing transmission anywhere in the world and removed the last travel alert (for Taiwan). Many respiratory infections have seasonal outbreaks, and whether SARS will return again this fall or winter isn't known.

* Effective control is possible with quarantine, as shown in Vietnam — the first country that the World Health Organization declared had contained SARS.

* Most people in the United States are at minimal risk. Weight problems and poor health habits are far more likely to affect people in the United States than is SARS.

* Many other infectious diseases are more prevalent and have higher fatality rates than does SARS.

* To minimize your risk of contracting SARS, don't travel to the specific areas noted by the CDC and the World Health Organization. If travel is essential, keep up-to-date on travel restrictions and issues by monitoring those agencies' Web sites. Before traveling to high-risk areas, seek advice from a travel or health professional.

* Hand washing and good personal hygiene are always good ideas.

* Health-care workers and families with members who have possible SARS should pay careful attention to recommendations from local health officials or the CDC.

"These tips and some common sense should ease some of your fears," explains Dr. Steckelberg. "Stay informed, be careful as appropriate, stay healthy and carry on with life."

For more information about SARS or other infectious diseases, visit the Infectious Disease Center on MayoClinic.com.

MayoClinic.com is a source of reliable health information on topics from cancer to quitting smoking, healthy traveling and first aid. This site is produced as part of Mayo's commitment to serve as a dependable source of health information for the public.

Carol Lammers
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu

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