STUDENT HEALTH CENTER (UPTOWN)

Notice regarding SARS:

SARS- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

The Student Health Service and the administration of Tulane University know many of you have questions and concerns about the SARS epidemic and how the university will respond. Here is what you need to know.

 What is it?

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is an atypical pneumonia of unknown cause. SARS is characterized by a fever of greater than 100.4°F (38°C) AND one or more clinical findings of cough or respiratory distress within 10 days of travel to an area with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS.

 Communities of concern for SARS:  Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Mainland China. As of this date the World Health Organization has declared the disease contained in all of these areas except Mainland China. There have been cases reported in the United States but no deaths.

SARS is known to spread through: 

• Intimate exposure-kissing, sexual contact, sharing eating and drinking items.
• Close Contact Exposure-face-to-face contact, being in an enclosed space for 30 minutes or less with an infected person, close conversations, during physical examinations, contact sports.

Tulane Student Health Recommendations for travelers to SARS-affected areas (per CDC guidelines)

• Assemble a travel health kit containing basic first aid and medical supplies. Be sure to include a thermometer, household disinfectant, a supply of surgical masks and disposable gloves and alcohol-based hand rubs for hand hygiene.
• Inform yourself and others who may be traveling with you about SARS. For up-to-date information about this illness, see CDC’s SARS Web site.
• Be sure you are up-to-date with all of your shots. The Travel Clinics at the Uptown and Downtown Student Health Centers are available to provide this service and answer your questions and should be consulted 4-6 weeks before travel.
• You may wish to check your health insurance plan or get additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in the event of illness.
• Identify in-country healthcare resources in advance of your trip.
• To protect against SARS infection, wash your hands frequently.

After you return

Tulane University recommends that all travelers to SARS areas plan to return to New Orleans or to your home at least 10 days prior to returning to campus and that you monitor your health status. Any traveler or family member who becomes ill with fever or respiratory symptoms during this period should consult a health care provider- immediately. The Student Health Centers, Uptown and Downtown, are available to screen you for this illness. Tell the provider about your symptoms and recent travel prior to going to the Student Health Center or your healthcare provider or emergency room, so arrangements can be made, if necessary, to prevent transmission to others in the healthcare setting.

For additional information, contact the Student Health Center (Uptown) at 504-865-5255, our web site or the Tulane University emergency web site at http://emergency.tulane.edu.