Analysis on diagnosis and treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine in 20 severe acute respiratory syndrome patients infected in hospital

Objective: To summarize the clinical features and managements of hospital staff with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) infected in hospital. Methods: Clinical data of 20 SARS staffs in our hospital from February 2003 to May 2003 were retrospective analyzed. Results: All had a direct personal contact with SARS patients. The incubation period of the disease was 2-7 days. Fever and cough were the initial symptoms. The respiratory symptoms progressed in some of the patients. Laboratory features included normal peripheral white blood cell(WBC) count. Focal involvement was common in chest X-ray radiographs. It was easy to meet the diagnostic criteria of SARS. The clinical outcome was good. Aggressive infection control measures were effective in preventing further transmission of this disease. Conclusion: The diagnosis of SARS in hospital staff is easy to make. The treatment with glucocorticoid in a short period is safe. Integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine therapy is benefit to the improving of symptom, and the clinical outcome is good.