While MERS is now becoming a deadly disease, it is deadlier for those who already have respiratory issues. But a senior South Korean woman has beaten the odds despite living with asthma.
Kim Bok-soon, 77, went to St. Mary’s Hospital during the first to second weeks of May, but it wasn’t for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Rather, it was for symptoms of her asthma. What she didn’t know, however, was that around the same period, the man who brought the virus to South Korea, patient zero, was also admitted there. He was from the Middle East where the disease began.
She was later sent home by her doctor, but within the next few days, she had to go back since her symptoms weren’t alleviated. Eventually, she was provided with more medications. But she worsened, feeling clammy and sweaty. She was also coughing very hard.
When she tried to go back to the hospital, it was already too late since it was shut down due to spread of the infection. When she moved to another hospital, she was immediately treated as a possible case with doctors and medical staff wearing biohazard suits. Blood samples came back positive of the virus.
Kim was sent to Seoul University Hospital where she was isolated with the rest of the crowd, and doctors came in and out the door wearing the suits.
In her part, she just kept on praying, hoping that all the medical interventions performed on her will work. The only time she was able to heave a sigh of relief was when doctors started coming in without their suits but in their white gowns. After being treated of the virus, she was transferred to the general ward.
Today, around 10 people had already died from the virus while scores were currently being treated. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with the virus often experience shortness of breath, cough, fever, and gastrointestinal issues. It may take around 2 to 14 days before the symptoms appear.
