Childhood SARS in Singapore
- Department of Paediatrics, National University Hospital, Singapore; paevbhps@nus.edu.sg
Since SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) came to Singapore, our lives have changed considerably. Fear has taken over, resulting in irrational handling and panic reactions by some, while others reacted as non-believers. It is the human response to the unknown, and the fear for the future.
In our Department of Paediatrics, as well as other departments at the National University Hospital, extensive measures have been taken (the “no risk” policy), trying to prevent further spread of the disease. Apart from extensive anti-infectious measures (gloves, masks, changing clothes, isolation procedures, etc) we divided our medical staff in two teams, who are not allowed to have any direct contact with each other, switching every two weeks to take over patient care. This …
