Where the Student

SARS- A concern and a real scare for all of us

An Interview with Mary Bezins, SARS patient

By: Natalie Lum-Tai, staff writer

On April 3^rd, 2003, the news of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) , a mysterious and sometimes fatal virus, swept over us. However, according to the Worldwide Health Organization, the syndrome was first recognized as early as February 26 2003, in Hanoi, Vietnam. This flu-like, respiratory illness originated in the Chinese province of Guangdong in November 2002, and was discovered by the late Dr.Carlo Urbani, 46, who became infected with the virus after working in Vietnam.

As of Tuesday April 1^st, researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention stated that they are 90% sure that the cause of SARS seems to be a new type of coronavirus, which is most often the cause of respiratory and intestinal infections. Also known as atypical pneumonia, SARS is extremely contagious and is currently believed to be spread through close contact with a sick patient. In more general terms, it is also suspected to be an airbone virus that can be caught by the sharing of nasal fluids such as coughing and sneezing.

"Under certain circumstances, at least, it may be airborne," said Dr Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control in the US. Symptoms of SARS include, coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat, fever (over 38 degrees Celsius) and difficulty breathing, however muscle, head, and stomach aches are also associated with this condition.

The Quest, was fortunate enough to conduct a recent interview over the phone, with Mary Bezins, a SARS victim, on Wednesday April 02, 2003. The interview conducted by Quest writer, Natalie Lum-Tai reveals a great deal about something we don’t know…the personal feelings and concerns of a SARS patient. The following is the interview in its entirety.

Miss Lum-Tai: How did you become a SARS Victim, and when were you diagnosed?

Mary Bezins- I ended up with flu like symptoms on the 20th of March, such as headaches, muscle aches, and a sore throat. It sort of stayed the same for a while. It was suggested by my doctor to come to the hospital to get things checked out. It was then, last Wednesday, where I was diagnosed with SARS. I am actually a coronary care nurse, at the Scarborough Grace Hospital, which is where I, along with 4 other nurses, received it through a patient that was being tended to.

Miss Lum-Tai- What thoughts were going through your head when you were informed that you had received SARS?

Mary Bezins -I think that I was a little bit angry, that it took so long for them to figure it out. I had been sick for a week, before anything significant was being done.

Miss Lum-Tai- How did you know that what you were experiencing was SARS, and not simply the affects of a common cold?

Mary Bezins -You really can't tell if you are experiencing SARS or the affects of a common cold, until you get checked out at a SARS clinic or hospital. I went to the hospital, based on the symptoms I had, and found out, after they did chest x-rays.

Miss Lum-Tai - What WERE you experiencing? I think that this is a big question bubbling inside the heads of our readers. Would you be able to describe the procedure? To put it simply, what exactly happened from the time you were diagnosed until now?

Mary Bezins - I spent 24 hours at the Scarborough Grace Hospital, before I was transferred to Mount Sinai by hospital bus with three other patients; 2 nurses and an admitting clerk. From there I went straight into isolation.

Miss Lum-Tai - I understand that you were sent home today from quarantine at the Mount Sinai Hospital. That's great news. I had thought you were to go home on Friday. How was that? I know it seems like quite a broad question, but I'm not sure how else to phrase it.

Mary Bezins - Actually, they kept on changing around the dates, but yes I got out today. Terrible. I was with another nurse, however they put 2 beds in a single room, and that was our bedroom for the next week. It was pretty cramped. We weren't allowed to leave the room at all. *laugh* I'd say the highlight would be having a shower.

Miss Lum-Tai- "laugh* I think it was yesterday, that I heard that officials were talking about having SARS victims use sick days, and even personal days to cover their time spent in quarantine. How do you feel about this?

Mary Bezins - I don't think that this move will work out very well. I pretty much got the disease at work, so the least they could do is pay us for our time there. I mean they took so long before they did anything, I'd be pretty upset if they went through with this.

How do you feel with all the recent SARS headlining? Are you scared or concerned?

Mary Bezins - Umm. I’m a little concerned. Scared because there are a lot people waiting for surgeries, and this sickness is affecting everyone, really. I know one of my friends has been waiting for a hip replacement for several years now, and now it has been cancelled. You have to feel sorry about all the people that die, it's just pretty sad. A patient came in with heart problems, and ended up getting a new sickness instead (SARS), just from being at the hospital.

Miss Lum-Tai- How do you think this disease will affect your everyday life? Do you think that you will be perceived differently?

Mary Bezins - No, I don't think that it will affect my everyday life. Of course, I'll be in isolation for another seven days, at home, but I think after that week is up, things will be back to normal.

Miss Lum-Tai- Do you feel that the WHO (World Health Organization) is doing enough to contain and cure SARS?

Mary Bezins - Oh, yah I definitely think so. I don't believe that they know much about what they should do right now, it seems as though they are at a loss. While I was at the hospital, they had us on experimental drugs that are meant for hepatitis to see if anything would work. They're trying everything that they think will help.

All that can be done at this present time, is to take certain and definite precautions to prevent the spread of SARS. Simply washing your hands frequently, abstaining from trips to the East, where the virus originated, and avoiding contact with infected patients are the basic precautions to maintain the spread of SARS. All people suspected of being subjected to the disease, are being quarantined at the hospital or in their homes. Although a cure is not currently available, much progress is being made. The most effective treatment is unclear, as different medicines are being used at different hospitals; some are treating patients with antibiotics, others with antivirals. However, on Tuesday April 1st, Hong Kong’s health officials stated that Ribavirin, and anti-viral drug, has shown progress in fighting the outbreak of SARS. According to the Department of Health, at least 90 percent of patients treated with the antiviral drug have recovered. "We have administered new medicine to treat those people and most of them have shown very encouraging results," said Hong Kong Health Department spokeswoman Eva Wong.

We are hoping for the best. Certain hospitals are no longer permitting fathers into the delivery room, as a precaution for the time being. Many hospitals are being shut down, if not already, such as the infamous Scarborough Grace Hospital where the first SARS victim was tended to. There is no doubt that health officials are doing all that is in their power to contain the virus.

As Mrs. Bezins previously explained, you will only be certain of your physical health after chest x-rays and other tests are taken. Individuals experiencing one or more of the SARS symptoms should contact a SARS clinic, hospital, or their family doctor at TeleHealth Ontario, at 1-866-797-000. Before seeking medical attention, you should call to voice your concerns as potential victims are being asked to stay inside their homes until they have fully recovered, depending on their state. For general information on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, contact 1-888-668-4636.