What is the difference between a “suspect” and a “probable” case?
A “suspect” case of SARS is a person who fits into one of the following two categories: a person who develops fever and one or more respiratory symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, within 10 days of returning from travel to areas in Asia where SARS cases are being reported; or a person who develops fever and one or more respiratory symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, within 10 days of having had close contact with a “probable” case of SARS. “Probable” cases of SARS are similar to suspect cases, but often they have a more severe illness, with progressive shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, and in some cases, chest x-rays show signs of atypical pneumonia.
