Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)t
How to protect yourself from SARS
January 5, 2004
Yes. Although there has been one isolated case of SARS in Southern China, there has been no evidence of spread of SARS from person-to-person. The World Health Organization emphasizes that it is safe to travel to all areas of China. Travelers can stay informed of current travel alerts and advisories regarding SARS at: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel.htm
Information for persons who may have been exposed to someone with SARS
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Visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/exposuremanagement.htm
How to stop the spread of germs to others when you are sick
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During the cough, cold and "flu" season, there are some simple tips that will keep respiratory infections from spreading. Respiratory infections affect the nose, throat and lungs; they include influenza (the "flu"), colds, pertussis (whooping cough) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The germs (viruses and bacteria) that cause these infections are spread from person-to-person in droplets from the nose, throat and lungs of someone who is sick.
Year-round, you can help stop the spread of these germs by practicing "respiratory etiquette" - good health manners - by covering your nose and mouth every time you sneeze, cough or blow your nose, putting used tissues in the trash, and washing your hands well and often whenever you or someone you are close to is sick. Clinics and hospitals may also give you a facemask to wear in waiting areas and exam rooms if you have a fever and cough or rash, so be prepared!
Here are some tips to keep from spreading your germs to others, and to keep from catching someone else's germs.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue every time you cough or sneeze. Throw the used tissue in a waste basket.
- If you don't have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve.
- Always clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, or touching used tissues or handkerchiefs.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Do not share eating utensils, drinking glasses, towels or other personal items.
- See your doctor as soon as you can if you have a cough and fever, and follow his or her instructions, including taking medicine as prescribed and getting lots of rest.
- If asked to, use facemasks provided in your doctor's or clinic waiting room and follow their instructions to help stop the spread of germs.
How to decrease your chance of catching a respiratory illness:
- Clean your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Don't share things like cigarettes, towels, lipstick, toys, or anything else that might be contaminated with respiratory germs.
- Don't share food, utensils, or beverage containers with others.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, if possible.
- Get vaccinated! Influenza (flu) and pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccines can prevent some serious respiratory illnesses.
Other resources:
Hand hygiene and handwashing
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What is hand hygiene?
Hand hygiene refers to the use of handwashing or to the use of alcohol-based hand rubs in order to stop outbreaks of communicable diseases.
How do I wash hands with soap and water?
Soap and running water remove dirt and grease from hands. It is the method of hand hygiene that should always be used when the hands are visibly soiled with dirt.
- Turn on water tap and let the water run until it becomes warm.
- You may use bar or liquid soap.
- Moisten hands and apply soap. Rub hands together in order to work up a lather. Cover and rub all surfaces of the hands. Lather and rub for at least 10 seconds. Rinse hands thoroughly.
- Dry hands with a clean paper towel or air dryer. Dispose of towel in a waste receptacle.
How do I use alcohol-based hand rubs?
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers significantly reduce the number of germs on the skin, are fast acting and cause less skin irritation than with frequent soap and water handwashing. They do not work as well when there is visible dirt on the skin because they do not release and rinse away dirt as occurs with soap and water washing.
- Apply the product to the palm of one hand and rub the hands together, covering all surfaces of the hands and fingers, until hands are dry.
- For the highest level of effectiveness, look for products that contain at least 60% ethyl alcohol.
Long fingernails or artificial nails make hand hygiene difficult to achieve. For these persons extra attention to scrubbing underneath fingernails is required to remove dirt and germs. Health care or patient care workers are discouraged from having long fingernails, because they work with patients who are at high risk for infection and failure to assure proper hand hygiene could be dangerous.
Gloves can be a helpful and important supplement to good hygiene. Although gloves can protect the hands against contamination, they do not always prevent hand contamination. For this reason, gloves do not eliminate the need for hand hygiene. Hand hygiene should always occur before and after contact with patients.
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learn more
 Stop Germs, Stay Healthy! Learn about respiratory etiquette, watch public service announcements, play the "Catch That Cough!" game and get free posters.
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 Disease Fact Sheets
Facts and FAQs about reportable diseases in Washington State including publications and reports.
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