Beijing residents who observe symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) in family members, friends or in themselves are
being urged to dial "120" directly to request a special ambulance.
As
of Sunday, the Beijing municipal government launched more "120"
emergency medical service hotlines as part of its efforts to
contain SARS.
The following are three symptoms of SARS to watch out for:
First, fever above 38 degrees Celsius accompanied by headache,
aching joints, aching pain throughout the body;
Second, dry cough with reduced phlegm, occasionally blood-tinged
phlegm, accelerated respiration, shortness of breath, and
respiratory distress;
Third, no obvious results from antibiotic medicines.
According to Tang Qi, an official with the Beijing First Aid
Center, in the past, suspected patients were reported first to the
Municipal Disease Control Center and then to the Municipal Health
Bureau.
Only when the confirmation was complete would the Health
Bureauinform the First Aid Center to help the patient. Enditem
(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2003)
