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The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has worried health officials across the world, with more than 4,000 infected, mostly in Asia but also in 20 other countries. More than 300 people have died. Here is what is known about the disease so far: Question: How does one get SARS? Answer: Scientists believe the main way SARS spreads is by person-to-person contact, such as touching the skin of an infected person or objects that are contaminated by them — through sneezes or coughs — and then touching your eye, nose or mouth. It may also spread through contact with infected people's faeces. It is also possible that SARS can be spread through the air or by other ways not yet known. Q: Can you get it by travelling by plane? A: Most cases of SARS are found among people who have had direct close contact with an infected person, such as a family member or a health-care worker who treated an ill person. SARS also has occurred among air travellers, primarily travellers to and from Hong Kong, Hanoi, Singapore and mainland China. Q: Where is SARS appearing? A: Primarily in Asia — China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore. But also in Toronto and more than 20 other countries, including the United States, Germany, Brazil, South Africa and Australia. Q: How does one know if he/she has got it? A: The illness usually begins with a fever, with temperature higher than 100.4 Fahrenheit (38 degree Celsius), and sometimes chills, headaches, a general feeling of discomfort and body aches. Later, patients may develop a dry, non-productive cough. Q: How long does it take to get it? A: It usually takes between two and seven days for symptoms to appear after exposure, though some reports have said it can take as long as 10 days. Q: What should one do if one thinks he/she has the disease? A: Contact your doctor or a health care provider. Explain any recent travel to regions where SARS has been reported and whether you were in close contact with someone who had these symptoms. Q: How can one keep oneself from getting it? A: Since SARS is an infectious disease, traditional methods of avoiding such illnesses are advised — with careful and frequent washing of hands with soap and water. Alcohol-based rubs are a good alternative. It is also advisable to avoid contact with large numbers of people. Q: Do masks over the mouth help? A: The routine use of masks while in public areas is not recommended. If you have to be in close proximity to an infected person, a doctor will advise you on what mask to wear. Q: How deadly is it? A: So far, 5.9 per cent of people who got sick worldwide have died. Hong Kong health officials revised their rate to 7.2 per cent of all reported cases from about 5 per cent earlier. Some Chinese health officials say the rate is higher. Q: What treatment is there? A: Scientists are trying anti-viral drugs as well as steroids. But so far, patients are given the same supportive treatment as they would for any serious pneumonia of unknown cause, which involves good diet and medication to ease chest pain. Q. What causes SARS? A. Experts say the cause is a previously unknown coronavirus, one of a family of viruses that ordinarily causes colds in people and more serious diseases in animals. Q. Is there a cure? A. None has been found yet. — AP
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