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Guidelines to Primary
Care Physicians / Family Physicians on the management of cases of suspected
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
In accordance with World Health Organization, symptoms and signs of Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome include -
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high fever (>38o C) AND
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one or more respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath,
difficulty breathing AND
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close contact* with a person who has been diagnosed with
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
| * |
close contact means having cared for, having lived with, or
having had direct contact with respiratory secretions and body
fluids of a person with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
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In addition to fever and respiratory symptoms, Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome may be associated with other symptoms including: headache, muscular
stiffness, loss of appetite, malaise, confusion, rash, and diarrhea.
When to refer
Doctors are advised to refer patients with the following conditions to
hospital for further management -
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(I)
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Fever more than 38o Celsius and new onset of pulmonary
infiltrate and either shortness of breath or cough and no symptomatic
response to standard therapy including a beta-lactam (penicillin
& cephalosporin groups) and coverage for atypical pneumonia (a fluoroquinolone,
tetracyclines, or a macrolide) after 2 days of therapy in terms
of fever and general well being
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| OR |
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| (II) |
Fever more than 38o Celsius and new onset of pulmonary
infiltrate and either shortness of breath or cough and patient has
been exposed to patients with pneumonia in the previous 7 days |
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