Transmission-+SARS

The main way that SARS spreads is from close person-to-person contact, much like the transmission of the common cold. Often healthcare workers caring for patients with SARS contract the disease due to close contact. In order to contract SARS, one must come in direct contact with the respiratory secretions of an infected individual.

The most common pathway for transmission:
 * 1) If someone infected with the SARS virus sneezes or coughs, infected droplets enter the air.
 * 2) These infected droplets enter the mouth, nose, or eyes of a non-infected individual.
 * 3) This individual now becomes infected with the virus.
 * 4) The newly infected individual can go on to infect others.

The SARS virus can live on hands, tissues, and other surfaces in this droplet form for up to 6 hours. Once the droplets dry, the virus can live up to 3 hours. If one touches a surface or an object that contains these infected droplets, and then touches his or her mouth, nose, or eyes, they can become infected.

Live virus has also been found in the stool of those infected with SARS, therefore it is possible that SARS can be spread through an undeveloped sewage system. Although not known for certain, it is very unlikely that the SARS virus can become airborne.