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SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
Symptoms

Research is still developing for this pneumonia-like disease. SARS onset may be acute. Characteristic symptoms include:

  • in the beginning, a fever greater than 100.4 degrees F, or 38.0 C
  • headache
  • discomfort and body aches
  • mild respiratory symptoms
  • after 2-7 days, developing a dry cough and/or troubled breathing

SARS is generally spread by close personal contact. Some people may be at risk and should take special precautions or be on the alert for symptoms. If you have traveled (including moving through an airport) to documented or active SARS areas within 10 days of the onset of the above symptoms, or if you have symptoms and have had close contact within 10 days of anyone who is known or suspected to have SARS, you should contact your healthcare provider for evaluation. People helping to care for SARS-affected individuals, or persons coming in direct contact with infectious materials (including respiratory droplets, bodily fluids exchanged while kissing an affected person, eating, and drinking from affected utensils), should also be alert for symptoms.

You can reduce your risk of SARS (and many other communicative diseases) through this preventative measure: WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY, with soap and water or with an alcohol hand hygiene product (example, Purell). If you have been exposed to SARS, or if you have the combination of symptoms typical of SARS:

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 Notify University officials (your supervisor or the Office of Student Affairs—see phone contacts below) that you will be absent. Do not go to school, work, or activities.
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 Stay home (or in your residence hall room or apartment) and call for an immediate evaluation from your healthcare provider. Be sure to alert them that you suspect possible SARS exposure or symptoms. It is important to call prior to your arrival at their office or hospital so that advance preparations can be made to implement infection control procedures to prevent possible transmission of the disease.

 

SARS bulletin

What happens after a diagnosis of SARS?

For further information and contact

 

 

Michigan Technological University
1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931-1295
906-482-1885

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