atypical pneumonia -SARS
 

I will be in Chengdu for a month (May-Jne). After reading about the current cases of atypical pneumonia posted by the CDC and WHO I would appreciate hearing from posters who have any additional (factual) information.<BR>THANKS

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/15/international/asia/15INFE.html?tntemail1<BR><BR>Peter N-H<BR>http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

Also from the BBC:<BR><BR>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2851487.stm<BR><BR>Peter N-H<BR>http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

<BR>The story was just on NBC News. It's now on the frontpage at washingtonpost.com<BR><BR>I just got out of the hospital. I went in on Feb 16 and got out March 11. Still have a couple of weeks to fully recovery. It was pneumonia. I think I got it on one of my trips, probably Argentina, maybe Brazil. But it coulda been at Bally's in Atlantic City or just at home for all I know.<BR><BR>I'm not a worry wort, but this story has my attention, as I can testify that pneumonia is nothing to mess around with. It can be much more than a bad cold, much more than a bad case of the flu.<BR>

I've read several articles about this strain of pneumonia which apparently does not respond to antibiotics, and has the medical community baffled. I would be hesitant to travel to Asian countries at this time until more is learned about it. Even US travel would concern me since many of the individuals carrying this strain have been travelors.

Heres the latest update from the WHO site: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2003_03_16/en/<BR><BR>It seems the vast majority of cases so far have been hospital workers treating patients who have it.<BR>I'll be heading off on a 3 week trip to Vietnam &amp; Cambodia this weekend &amp; am concerned but won't let it ruin my holiday - I'm fit &amp; healthy &amp; have top travel insurance...I guess its just a matter of being more cautious than I normally would if (heaven forbid!) I happen to come down with any cold/flu symptoms.