Lung Disease & Respiratory Health Center

Possible SARS Vaccine Breakthrough

Protect Yourself

In the meantime, experts recommend taking the same precautions against SARS as you would against any other viral infection -- avoid close "person-to-person" contact or sharing utensils with those who are sneezing or coughing. The main way SARS appears to spread is through respiratory droplets from an infected person that line mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes of those nearby. It can also spread when people touch a surface contaminated with infectious droplets and then their mouth, nose, or eyes. It may also spread in ways not yet known.

SARS typically begins with a fever of more than 100.4 degrees. Other symptoms include headache, body aches, overall discomfort, and mild respiratory symptoms. About 10%-20% of people infected with SARS also get diarrhea. After two to seven days, people develop a dry cough and most develop pneumonia.

In May, the World Health Organization revised its initial estimates of the risk of death due to SARS. It now predicts an overall death rate of 14% to 15% across all ages, up from the previous estimate of 3% to 7%.