MERS proves fatal to severely ill
2 patients regain health, released
By Kim Se-jeong
Five of six deaths so far from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) were people in their 70s and 80s.
The exception was a woman in her 50s, who was suffering from a severe case of asthma.
Two confirmed cases have been released from hospital after recovering.
So far, MERS has proved fatal to those whose immune systems were weak from other illnesses.
Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath, which could be fatal to elderly people with chronic diseases.
According to the World Health Organization, some people infected with the MERS virus may not even become ill.
A close look into the six deaths shows the virus is not as dangerous to healthy people as has been imagined.
One of the first victims, a woman, 57, had asthma, high-blood pressure and Cushing’s syndrome after exposure to cortisol.
She was admitted to Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital earlier in May for a breathing problem caused by asthma, according to medical records.
Another victim, a man, 71, had a kidney removed in 2011, and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He contracted MERS from the first patient in the same hospital. Experts say MARS can be more dangerous for people with respiratory problems.
Some confirmed patients have overcome the disease. On Sunday, the first patient’s wife, who is believed to have contracted the virus while caring for her husband, was released from an isolation facility. Another person was released on Monday.
Not all confirmed patients are in serious condition.
Another patient was taken to hospital after experiencing a severe fever and fatigue between May 22 and 23.
“I could not stay conscious because of the fever,” he said. “My body ached as if I was beaten hard by something.”
His condition has now improved significantly. He can move around the room, eat crackers and drink juice between meals.
Doctors emphasize that for most healthy people, thorough personal hygiene can be enough to prevent them from contracting the virus.