CDC SARS link

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Corrections.

I don't think that the surgical mask is enough protection from any respiratory diseases. The particulate coming from TB or any other respiratory infection are small enough to go through regular surgical masks. I would wear at least an N95 or what ever your hospital uses when they have a suspected TB case in isolation. Since I just got over pneumonia, I wouldn't even wear anything less than that taking care of any respiratory infection at this time. Just trying to save my orifice.......

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psychonurse, you are absolutely correct, because this is spread by the respiratory/droplet route.

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Hospital staff mostly Nurses contract SARS

http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoNews/ts.ts-03-25-0012.html

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The latest info I've read is that they've found a type of corona virus that might be responsible. The corona virus is a common cold virus. Great! A killer cold virus. And yes, a number of nurses and doctors have contracted this disease. Some have died. This might be coming soon to a hospital near you. It's in the USA now.

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Anybody else think that the "assurances" coming from the CDC, local public health, etc. sound a lot like those we received with the anthrax scare? You know, something like this:

We know for a fact that this virus is spread only by direct contact. Well, maybe by close contact. OK, sure, it could be airborne. But you have to be living with/treating a SARS patient to get it. Or maybe you just have to be in the same plane. Possibly the same neighbourhood. In the same five-mile radius? Of course, there's no need to panic, because if you wear gloves and gowns and masks...oh, wait, nevermind, that Italian doctor who followed strict isolation protocol just died. Um, OK, well, we're reasonably certain that the isolation period is short...well, no, we don't know that for sure, one scientist just said the pre-symptom infectious period could be as long as 14 days, but probably not, since we've never seen an infectious period that long...the most important thing is that the public not panic, because we're the authorities, and by God, we've got to look like we're in control of this thing, whatever it is, which of course we know what it is, we just don't know for sure yet.

:stone

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:( ontario nurses pretty sstressed. wouldn't you be. don't we have enough worries in this world. now they have to worry about being exposed to this bug at work and potentially infecting their loved ones.

here are some more links i afraid no of it is encouraging.

fourth victim dies

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-03-31-0004.html

ontario nurses "pretty stressed"

http://ww.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-03-31-0005.html

sick kids cut back access (21 month old in isolation)

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-03-31-0024.html

isolated and bored

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-03-31-0026.html

it's coast to coast new brunswick principle suspected case

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-03-31-0027.html

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http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r030329.htm

CDC Extends SARS Travel Advisory; Offers Interim Infection Control Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today extended its travel advisory for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) to include all of mainland China as well as Hanoi, Vietnam and Singapore. The previous CDC travel advisory was for only Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China and Hanoi, Vietnam.

CDC advises that people planning elective or non-essential travel to mainland China and Hong Kong; Singapore; and Hanoi, Vietnam may wish to postpone their trips until further notice. CDC has been working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to investigate cases of SARS. At this time CDC is not advising against travel to or from Canada because there is not evidence of widespread community transmission.

CDC officials are meeting planes, cargo ships and cruise ships coming either directly or indirectly to the United States from China, Singapore and Vietnam and distributing health alert cards (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel_alert.htm) to disembarking passengers. CDC will distribute approximately 25,000 health alert notices daily to people returning from the affected regions at more than 20 ports of entry.

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On the news, there is one confirmed case at the University of Connecticut, Storrs branch. Don't know all the details -- but apparently this is being very closely tracked -- student has worked out in gym, gone to classes, etc. Way too close to home.

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RN2BE2005 makes a very good point. I just watched two different experts talk about this disease this evening. The CDC expert was taking the "it is spread by droplet" line. The WHO expert was not so sure. Was very concerned because the disease is showing some signs of being more contagious than first thought. No wonder people get so confused. Like RN2B I can remember when CDC gave incorrect information about the anthrax outbreak and people died. I think the best they can say right now is they ain't sure of anything. I also think I might know the reason why CDC takes a conservative approach. I fear they might be under pressure by politicians to prevent panic. I just don't completely trust them.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/a14743-2003apr12.html

infecting the first line of defense

hospital staff are hit hardest by deadly lung disease

(front page of sunday's washington post!)

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