Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Diagnosis of SARS

SARS is currently diagnosed by excluding all other possible causes including standard pneumonia by performing tests such as:

• samples of coughed up saliva and mucus (sputum),
• chest x-rays,
• and blood tests.

A SARS contact is a person who may be at greater risk of developing SARS because of exposure to a suspect or probable case of SARS. Information to date suggests that risky exposures include having cared for, lived with, or having had direct contact with the respiratory secretions, body fluids and/or excretion (e.g. faeces) of a suspect or probable cases of SARS.

SARS is also suspected if a person has an unexplained acute respiratory illness and one or more of:

• close contact with a person who is a suspect or probable case of SARS,
• history of travel, to an area with recent local transmission of SARS,
• and they live or lived in an area with recent local transmission of SARS, within 10 days prior to start of symptoms.

• SARSScabiesScarlet feverScarsSchizophreniaSciaticaScoliosisScurvySeasonal affective disorderSecond opinionSelf-injurySeptic shockSexual health clinicsSexually transmitted infectionsShinglesShort-sightednessSick building syndromeSickle-cell anaemiaSinusitisSjogren's syndromeSlapped cheek syndromeSleep apnoeaSlipped discSmear testSmoking (quitting)SnoringSore throatSpina bifidaSpinal muscular atrophySports injuriesSprainsSquintStaphylococcal infectionsSterilisationStillbirthStings, insectStings, marine creaturesStreptococcal infectionsStressStretch marksStrokeSubarachnoid haemorrhageSubdural haematomaSudden infant death syndromeSuicideSunburnSupraventricular tachycardiaSyphilis

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