Maintain
good personal hygiene.
- Wash your hands frequently
under running water with liquid soap and rub
lather over the front and back of hands, wrists,
between fingers and under fingernails for at
least 10 seconds before
touching your eyes, nose and mouth as the SARS virus spreads through respiratory droplets.
- After touching door knobs/handles, hand
railing, lift buttons, public phones, fax machine, photocopier
and water
dispensers.
- Before serving food or having a meal,
use
disposable towels for drying hands because germs and microbes
will flourish in damp conditions.
- Wash
your clothing, rings, jewellery or spectacles
that you wear.
-
Cover
your mouth with tissue paper when sneezing or
coughing and dispose of them properly.
Be
responsible. - If you are sick, limit your social
interaction. Wear a surgical mask if you have
a runny nose, sore throat and cough when you
visit public places. Seek medical help immediately.
-
Wash
your hands, before putting on and after taking
off your mask. Make sure the mask cover your
nose and your mouth, and falls slightly over
your chin.
-
When
not in use, keep masks in plastic bags.
Remember
to discard soiled masks properly.
Things
to be avoided.
- Avoid
travelling to countries where SARS cases have been reported, such as China, Hong Kong,
Singapore,
and Canada.
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- Avoid
visit crowded places with poor ventilation.
-
Avoid
direct contact with a SARS patient.
-
Avoid
sharing eating utensils, towels or bedding with
persons infected with SARS, although these items
can be used after thorough washing with bleach
and hotwater.
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Advisory
- A
patient recovering from SARS is advised to wear
a surgical mask during close contact with uninfected
persons. If the patient is unable to wear a
surgical mask, those in direct contact with
him/her close should wear one. Change mask daily
or when they become worn or damaged.
- Healthcare
workers should adhere strictly to the Universal
Protection System of hand-washing and barrier
nursing, and the treatment of SARS patients.
This includes wearing protective gear such as
a N95/N100 mask, operation theatre uniform,
disposable apron, gloves and goggles, depending
on the expected level of protection.
- Healthcare
facilities should screen those who visit SARS
patients for fever and other respiratory symptoms,
to control the spread of the virus.
-
Healthcare
workers who develop fever or respiratory symptoms
during the 10 days following exposure to a SARS
patient should not report for duty.
-
For
alternative protection, apply alcohol-based
hand rub to one palm and rub hands together,
including all surfaces of hands and fingers
until they are dry. These rubs are fast and
effective alternatives to the soap-water routine.
-
Wearing
disposable gloves reduces contamination especially
when in contact with body fluids from a SARS
patient. Hand rubs and gloves should be used
before and after handling each patient.
-
Those
returning from overseas should monitor their
health as the incubation period for SARS is
typically 2-7 days. However, isolated incidents
have suggested an incubation period of as long
as 10 days.
-
Build
up your body immune system. Go for a balanced
diet, regular exercises, adequate rest and activities
that reduce stress. Boost your immune system
by taking health supplements like vitamins A,
C and E, fruits and green, leafy vegetables.
A weak immune system is an open invitation to
a viral attack.
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