Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is an acute respiratory illness believed to be caused by a virus and spread by close contact with an infected person, e.g., through coughing and sneezing.

Although there have been no cases of SARS reported on campus, the SU Student Health Service continues to monitor the situation and has established guidelines in the event that someone shows symptoms of, or contracts, SARS.

Individuals who have traveled within the past 2 weeks to countries where SARS has been identified who are experiencing the sudden onset of symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, and muscle aches should be evaluated. The symptoms may develop as early as 2 days after exposure or as long as 10 days. If you are experiencing symptoms, call first before going to your primary care doctor or an emergency room to lessen the risk of exposing others. The Peninsula Regional Medical Center Emergency Room has experts available 24 hours a day at 410-543-7101.

When you call the ER, ask for the charge nurse, who will evaluate your symptoms and instruct you accordingly. People traveling to SARS-affected areas should be aware of their increased risk for contracting this infectious disease. If you must travel to one of these endemic areas, you are advised to consult the World Health Organization's Web site www.who.int/csr/sars/en.  before your departure.  Because of the outbreak of SARS, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have  issued travel advisories. 

For the areas hardest hit by the disease visit www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars  and  www.who.int/csr/sars/en. 

The World Health Organization regularly updates its Website with the number of cases  reported and additional information.