How is SARS diagnosed?
For the most part, SARS is a “clinical” diagnosis. This means that the diagnosis rests not on a single test but on a constellation of symptoms and findings (including those listed at the top of this page). In addition, there are some laboratory tests for the virus which are being refined on an almost daily basis. The tests are not easy to perform and not always completely accurate.
In the absence of a laboratory test, doctors are using the following criteria to diagnose SARS: people who have recently travelled to affected countries in Asia or who have had close contact with persons diagnosed with SARS; and develop a fever (over 38.0 degrees Celsius); and have one or more of the following respiratory symptoms: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Because the etiology for SARS is presently unknown, SARS is currently a clinical diagnosis based on the above case definitions. Basic diagnostic testing should be performed at the local hospital, while more specialized testing should be sent to the Contra Costa Public Health Laboratory. Please know that until we get further information, these specimens should be handled as Biosafety Level (BSL) 2+ pathogens (handle in a BSL-2 facility with BSL-3 practices). The County Public Health Laboratory will perform some of the specialized testing and forward appropriate specimens to the CA Dept. of Health Services Laboratory. Initial diagnostic testing at the hospital should include: (NOTE: Laboratory specimens should be labeled as “Suspect SARS.”) • Chest x-ray • CBC with differential • Sputum for Gram stain and routine bacterial culture and sensitivity • Sputum for Legionella culture and Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA), and urine for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen (Ag) • Blood cu
