Comment On Breaking News in Hong Kong: SARS Patients May Suffer Relapses

News Pundit.net ^ | 5/1/2003 | Douglas Oliver

[ex-Texan]

Comment On Breaking News in Hong Kong: SARS Patients May Suffer Relapses

On May 1st the world learned for the first time learned that SARS patients may suffer relapses requiring hospitalization. This was reported by ABC.net.au in Australia this morning. At the same time, it was announced that 5 more SARS patients have died bringing the total number of deaths up to 162 in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's Director of Health, Dr Margaret Chan, was obliged to defend local policies and explained, in part, that it is not uncommon for patients with other diseases to suffer relapses. Fortunately, only 12 patients have relapsed so far.

It is possible that some patients who relapse may still have the ability to shed the virus and infect other people. To quote briefly from the report in Australia:

Dr Chan has not ruled out the possibility that recovered patients could still infect other people.

"We do not rule out the possibility that recovered patients may still excrete a small amount of virus... but it is important to conduct more tests and studies to understand how long a patient will continue to excrete the virus after they have recovered," she said.

Dr Chan also notes that relapses occurred in other diseases, but "this does not mean it is due to a lack of immunity (in the patients)". * * *

This apparent resistance to treatment is a new factor that must be considered by hospitals with SARS patients. The news was greeted with grim determination by doctors and nurses battling this mystery illness on the "front lines." SARS is taking a huge toll on health care workers. They suffer not only a high infection rate but fatigue and emotional exhaustion from working long hours. They also must deal with the reality of quarantine and separation from their families.

The world is realizing today that doctors and hospital staff must put their lives at risk to fight this deadly mystery disease. The courage of health care workers ought to be applauded by whole world.

[aristeides]

With SARS, Initial Recovery May Presage Worst Phase.

[Domestic Church]

Very interesting article!

"But for three patients at Prince of Wales, all women, the illness did not worsen until the 18th day, Dr.Hui said. At least one of the women had shown considerable signs of recovery including disappearance of fever, before her condition abruptly deteriorated; all three women have since recovered, Dr. Hui said. The delayed onset of the worst symptoms may be part of the natural course of the disease or it may be the result of the use of heavy steroids which suppress the immune systems response to the disease so as to limit inflamation of the lungs, he added."

The delayed onset might be an indicator. It will be very interesting to see if these women have any other autoimmune symptoms after recovery.

[blam]

"The world is realizing today that doctors and hospital staff must put their lives at risk to fight this deadly mystery disease. The courage of health care workers ought to be applauded by whole world."

I agree. I wouldn't go near one of those hospitals.

[Judith Anne]

bump to myself. I think those courageous, heroic health care workers ought to be applauded.

In this country, however, I find that the attitude is, "I deserve a nurse to sacrifice for me. Nurses MUST risk illness and death to take care of me."