By Peggy O'Farrell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Worried about SARS? Buy hand sanitizer, not one of those masks everyone's wearing in Beijing these days.

That's the advice from health experts after the Tristate's first suspected case of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) was reported in Northern Kentucky Wednesday. The patient, who has not been identified because of confidentiality laws, reportedly is doing well in voluntary home isolation.

"At this point, there's no need for the community to panic, no need to be overly concerned," said Evie Van Herpe, epidemiology administrator for the Northern Kentucky Independent Health District. "We are monitoring the situation as events unfold with this person."

The fact that the Northern Kentucky patient is reported as a suspected SARS case "isn't saying much," said Dr. Lisa Haglund, an infectious disease specialist with the University of Cincinnati. "A suspected case is someone who has a moderate respiratory illness, a fever greater than 100.4 degrees and cough or shortness of breath - something that makes you think they have pneumonia."

Those symptoms fit many infections, including influenza.

Hospitals are on the alert for patients with pneumonia that can't be attributed to influenza or other ailments, health officials said.

Worldwide, 5,865 suspected or probable SARS cases had been reported as of Thursday, including 56 in the United States. In Kentucky, health officials are investigating four suspected or probable SARS cases, and in Ohio, 12 suspected or probable cases have been reported. In Indiana, one suspected case has been reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of the 56 probable cases in the United States, 54 involve patients who had traveled to high-risk areas, including mainland China; Hong Kong; Singapore; Hanoi, Vietnam and Toronto. One person was a household contact of a SARS patient, and one person was a health-care worker.

To cut down on infectious diseases, experts advise:

• Wash hands frequently, using hot water and soap. Or, use a hand sanitizer containing alcohol.

• Pay attention to travel advisories issued by the CDC and the World Health Organization.

• If traveling to a high-risk area, know the signs of SARS: Fever of 100.4 or higher, flu-like symptoms and respiratory distress. See a doctor immediately if you have those symptoms.