Here are the symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• The illness usually begins with a fever (measured temperature greater than 100.4°F [>38.0°C]).

• The fever is sometimes associated with chills or other symptoms, including headache, general feeling of discomfort and body aches. Some people also experience mild respiratory symptoms at the outset.

• After two to seven days, SARS patients may develop a dry, nonproductive cough that might be accompanied by or progress to the point where insufficient oxygen is getting to the blood. In 10 percent to 20 percent of cases, patients will require mechanical ventilation.

Public health experts say that if you have the above symptoms and you've been to an affected area (China, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia or Canada) in recent weeks or have had contact with someone who has, call your doctor or go to an emergency room.