|
[
Home ]
[ Awards ] [ Improvements ] [ History ] [ Activities ] [ Courses ] [ Committee ] [ General ] [ Functions ] [ Tours ] [ Edulinks ] [ Registration ] [ Security ] [ Health ] [ Family ] [ Skill ] [ Singapore 21 ]
|
SEVERE ACUTE
RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS)
|
|
Everyone today is worried about SARS and whether they could be
affected by it. The Ministry of Health has taken extra precautionary
steps, beyond WHO's recommended measures to minimise the spread of SARS.
It is unlikely that you or loved ones can contract SARS in Singapore,
particularly if you had not travelled to the affected areas or had not come into
contact with a SARS patient.
FACTS ABOUT SARS
 |
WHAT IS SARS AND WHAT CAUSES IT?
- A new type of atypical pneumonial that infects the lungs
- Caused by a virus which is yet to be determined |
|
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTONS OF SARS?
- Sudden onset of high fever(> 38 degrees Celsius)
- Dry cough
- Breathing difficulties
- Muscle aches
- Chills and shivering |
|
HOW IS SARS SPREAD?
- Through droplets spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes
and droplets are spread to a nearby contact
- A small number of individuals with SARS who are very sick can be
very infectious when they develop SARS symptoms |
|
HOW FAST CAN SARS SPREAD?
- From the cases so far, it appears that SARS becomes infectious only
after the infected person develops symptoms, first of which is usually the
sudden onset of high fever.
- A person is not infectious during the incubation period which is
about 3 to 7 days, but for some it may be up to 10 days. |
|
HOW CONTAGIOUS IS SARS?
- Close contact with an infected person is needed for SARS to spread
from one person to another.
- Close contacts means -
- Having cared for or lived with the SARS patient,
or
- Had direct contact with respiratory secretions or
body fluids of a person with SARS. |
|
DO I NEED TO WAR A FACE MASK?
- If you are unwell or have fever, you should avoid crowded
places. If you have to go out to see the doctor, you should use a face
mask.
- At present, there is no need for the general public to wear face
masks. |
|
I HAVE FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS, DOES IT
MEAN I HAVE SARS?
- Not every one with flu-like symptoms has SARS. But if you are
unwell, see a doctor first. |
|
I HAVE VISITED A SARS-AFFECTED
COUNTRY, WILL I GET SARS?
- Not everyone who has travelled to SARS-affected countries will be
infected. They should, however, monitor their health closely. If
they develop any symptoms, go to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) Emergency
Department for assessment. They should not go to work.
- If you do not develop any symptoms of SARS within 10 days following
your travel to the affected places, it is unlikely that you are infected. |
|
WHAT YOU CAN DO?
- Heed World Health Organisation's (WHO) advice to postpone travel to
Hong Kong and Guangdong until another time. - Also, avoid travel
to other SARS-affected areas - Shanxi, Taiwan, Hanoi (Vietnam) and Toronto
(Canada), unless absolutely necessary. Visit WHO website at www.who.int/en/
for an update of affected countries.
- Seek immediate medical attention at TTSH, if you develop the
symptoms and have travelled to the affected countries or are a close contact
of persons diagnosed with SARS.
- Be responsible, wear a mask if you are unwell to protect the people
around you. Do not go to work or school. See a doctor
immediately.
- Observe personal hygien: cover mouth with tissue when you cough or
and wash your hands with soap and water.
- Build up you body's resistance by having proper diet, adequate rest
and exercise. |
LINES OF DEFENCE
- Unlike an epidemic, where most cases are seen in the
general population, SARS is still limited in its spread. There is no
evidence at present of the spread of SARS in the general community.
- Tighter health screening proceduures for passengers arriving at the
Changi Airport from affected countries.
- To minimise public exposure to SSARS, the MOH has made special
arrangements for persons with a higher likelihood of being SARS patients to be
transported to TTSH by private ambulance.
- All suspected and SARS patients are isolated and treated at TTSH and the
Communicable Disease Centre (CDC).
- Enhanced protective measures (maasks, gloves, gowns) for hospital staff
at TTSH and CDC to protect everybody.
- At all A&E departments, patiients who may have SARS are seen
separately from other patients.
- Those who have come into contactt with people diagnosed with SARS are
quarantined at home.
NOTE
If you have travelled to any of the SARS-affected countries
and should you become ill with high fever, cough, shortness of breath or
difficulty in breathing within two weeks of your travel, please seek immediate
medical attention. Arrangements will be made to transport you to TTSH.
Please keep the Health Alert Notice card and give it to the doctor who is seeing
you if you become ill.
For enquiries, call Ministry of Health Hotline: 1800-225-4122
/ 1800-333-9999 or log on: www.moh.gov.sg.
If you think that you have SARS, call the free ambulance service to TTSH at 993.
Click on thumbnail to
see map.
Click back to return to this page.
Health Screening Centre |
 |
Health Screening
Centre
Block 3, Level 1,
Singapore 169608
Tel : 6321 4123
Fax : 6220 4286 |
Opening Hours -
Monday to Friday -
8.30 am to 5.00 pm
Saturday -
8.30 am to 1.00 pm
|
Prevention is the key to good health.
Chronic degenerative diseases such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes, liver disorders and
ischaemic heart disease have been associated with modern living and lifestyles.
However, with early detection and proper medical guidance, these diseases or health risks
can be treated or even prevented. The key to good health maintenance, therefore,
lies in preventive medicine.
The Singapore General Hospital's Health Screening Centre
offers a one-stop, comprehensive multiphasic screening service by specialists. If
you wish to sign up for any of the health screening programmes or if you require more
information, please contact the Health Screening Centre Co-ordinator at Tel :
6321 4123. |
| Private Hospitals
with 24-hour outpatient facilities |
HMI Balestier Hospital Pte Ltd
363 Balestier Road
Singapore 329784
Tel : 6253 3818
Fax : 6251 0530 |
Mount Alvernia Hospital
820 Thomson Road
Singapore 574623
Tel : 6253 4818
Fax : 6255 6303 |
Thomson Medical Centre Pte Ltd
339 Thomson Road
Singpore 307677
Tel : 6256 9494
Fax : 6253 4468 |
East Shore Hospital Pte Ltd
321 Joo Chiat Place
Singapore 427 7588
Tel : 6344 7588
Fax : 6345 4966 |
Mount Elizabeth Hospital Ltd
3 Mount Elizabeth
Singapore 228510
Tel : 6737 2666
Fax : 6734 0518 |
West Point Family Hospital Pte Ltd
235 Corportation Drive
Singapore 619722
Tel : 6268 7555
Fax : 6268 1551 |
Gleneagles Hospital Ltd
6A Napier Road
Singapore 258500
Tel : 6473 7222
Fax : 6476 1832 |
|
|
| 24-hour GP Clinics |
General Outpaitent Clinic Pte Ltd
17 Ang Mo Kio
Ave 9 #02-07/08
Singapore 569766
Tel : 6459 2385
Fax : 6459 2687 |
Green Cross Medical Centre
Blk 824 Tampines
St 81 #01-30
Singapore 520824
Tel/Fax : 6781 3022
|
Medihealth Bishan 24-hour Clinic &
Surgery
121 Bishan
St 12 #01-95
Singapore 570121
Tel : 6258 3212 |
Lifelink 24-hour Clinic & Surgery
153 Serangoon North
Ave 1 #01-534
Singapore 550153
Tel : 6281 3977 |
Grace Polyclinic
132/134 East Coast Road
Singapore 428817
Tel : 6447 0400
Fax : 6447 3556 |
Silvercross Medical Centre
273A Holland Avenue
Singapore 278992
|
Click on the thumbnails below to visit the respective
website.
 |
Check out the ward pictures by clicking on the thumbnail
picture, and you get an enlarged version of what to expect.
This site is actually very user-friendly, as well as information and feature rich.
Charges are clearly indicated and you can arrange for an appointment with any of their
doctors. Its Patient Education section is the most comprehensive so far. It
has segments on different illnesses that explain symptoms and treatment in clear, layman
terms. Even diagrams are thrown in. |
|
This bright and cheery website is information rich and easy
to navigate. Apart from the usual information about the hospital services and
consultation charges. Its FAQ section deals with common questions like "how do
I change from a higher class to a lower class?" You can use the online services
to book an appointment, update your home addresses, and even request a medical report to
be sent to you. Under its "Ask-A-Nurse" service, you can post questions to
its team of nurses and medical specialists and hear from them within three working days. |
 |
 |
Parkway Group Hospital has a service which lists doctors and
their specialities in Gleneagles Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre or East Shore
Hospital. Apply for an appointment or sign up for a Health Screening. |
|
Functional and easy to navigate. Under its online
services section, find answers to general enquiries such as "Can I fax my
prescription?" You can make appointments at NUH online, and also search for
specialists and book outpatient appointments with participating hospitals via its CARES
(Central Appointment and Referral System) programme. |
|
 |
Apart from the usual listings, this site also provides
information on the Assist Home & Hospice information. What's unusual is a
promotion for Mother's and Father's Day in the form of health screening packages. |
|
No-frills website that offers the basic information on
charges and services. You can arrange for outpatient appointments online.
There's also a Chinese version of the site. |
|
 |
Provides detailed information about its support groups such
as the Asthma Club and the Breastfeeding Support Group. You can also find out about
its volunteer programmes and contact persons. But there's no online form for
registration. |
|
Provides e-mail links to its Cancer Helpline where you can
direct your questions to trained oncology nurses. There are articles on research
programmes and clinical trails but it's all pretty heavy stuff. Patient information
is quite useful, such as how to make an appointment at the NCCS, and what documents to
bring, but the pages are static. |
|
|
A mental health hospital, this site lists its psychiatry,
counselling, psychological and other medical services, as well as factual information
about departments, doctors and events. |
|
Allows you to book an appointment. Confirmation comes
via a phone call within two working days. There's comprehensive patient information
in an easy to understand Q & A format. But the site could be improved by
including consultation charges and other fees. |
|
|
Another no-frills website, with the usual information on
programmes and a staff directory. Needs updating. What's good: E-mail links to
the staff, including doctors. |
|
A no-frills site with little interactivity except for one
e-mail link. What's useful are FAQs on skin diseases, information on commonly
prescribed drugs and a listing of events like talks and forums. |
|
|