Sars

oramar · Mar 30, 2003

Yes nurses are being infected and some have died. Yes, nurses are in the front lines and will be the first exposed. It is sort of like being a soldier, you know you can be killed going into it. You have the right to expect proper equipment , training and education to fight the enemy. However, you understand when you sign up that this was part of the job. It does not bother me that nurses are fearful and unhappy about the potential for catching some deadly disease, that is normal. It does suprise me that some act as if they never considered the possiblity. Even as a young LPN 35 years ago it was always in back of my mind. I always knew the potential for an epidemic was very real. I also knew that many, many nurses had died in previous epidemics.

JMP · Mar 30, 2003

Just not sure what you are trying to say?

Every RN knows that we take some risks and are exposed to many things in our work that other professionals are not exposed to.

That goes with the territory.

SARS is potent and scarey...don't get me wrong. However, at times like this, our knowledge and judgement are needed more than ever.

What is the alternative?????

Little One2 · Mar 30, 2003

It is important to treat the condition like any other condition needing special precaution. No matter what we do in any work field, there are always risks and dangers involved. As nurses, we are educated to now what to do when it comes to dealing with diseases. We need to provide education, comfort, and be strong for the public. We need to help keep the panic at a low.

TX Guy · Mar 30, 2003

You guys definetly need to protect yourselves!

And I dont believe the government or your employer is necessarily going to tell you everything you need to know.

You guys be carefull.

P

Wuiteroz · Mar 31, 2003

Originally posted by JMP
Just not sure what you are trying to say?

I was just wondering if there were many/any nurses who got infected with sars from patients..

and I was wondering what do you think about nurses being so vulnerable and exposed to such diseases. It scares me, I was wondering about others..

ainitfunny · Mar 31, 2003

Just be careful if you are or could be pregnant, because as I posted on another thread, there is a link to an article that states the doctors treating female patients warn them not to get pregnant for 6 months if they are treated with Ribavarin

This might be something to consider if you are pregnant.

Women risk deformed babies from SARS TREATMENT!

quote:

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The South China Morning Post reported on Sunday that Hong Kong doctors had warned women treated for SARS that they should not try to conceive for the next six months as any foetus could be deformed.

Ribavirin, one of the drugs used to treat the illness, could have side effects on foetuses under 16 weeks and the risk was reduced only after the 28th week of pregnancy, they said.

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http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissi...143&sid=1730157

jamistlc · Mar 31, 2003

Greetings Everyone,

Its been awhile since I posted, but here it goes. The Doc who discovered the virus passed away this past week from SARS! I am sure he was very cautious and took all the precautions at his disposal in a oriental country (Thailand or someplace like that), which may not be as much as we have in the USA. Yesterday the CDC says it is a airborne virus and can stay viable for up to 6 hours, SURFACE CONTACT. :eek:

This is a scarrey virus people and I think we need to remeber universal precautions and hand washing as our best means to protect ourselves. :cool:

Peace,

Have a Blessed Day,

Jami

psychonurse · Mar 31, 2003

We as nurses need to protect ourselves from all sorts of infections that are occuring in the world. There are many disease entities out there that we need to protect ourselves from.

Now I have a question on that line, many people are worried about the SAR and I am also but I am worried more when I am not at work than I am at work because I am in a real stable community (prison). But you never know about people on the outside when you are at a grocery store or the mall or a movie theater. So when I am in a hospital or go to a lab to have blood drawn, why do the nurses and phelbotimists that draw my blood or start my IV not wear gloves??? I ask them and they tell me that I don't look infected with anything???? How do they know??? I have been in corrections for 14 years and I have been wearing gloves the whole time and most of the time I know my patients but since they have a right not to be tested for HIV I can't be sure so I always wear gloves.....why can't we educate others of this fact that not only does the hospitals have to protect us but we have to protect ourselves.

oramar · Mar 31, 2003

Wuiteroz, make sure you read other threads about this, ESPECIALLY my SARS LINK thread. I heard a infectious disease doctor on tv say that so far the cases in US have been milder and no deaths. I would like to see a link about that before I believe it.

mercykitten · Apr 1, 2003

I saw a breakdown maps of SARS in United States yesterday on MSN-WebMD. While SARS is in the US, there have been no deaths yet. But it is in several states, but not yet in KY.

We do need to take precautions.....right now spring break is coming up, so we will have mass travel to warm spots (Fla.)....after spring break could prove interesting....

Let's just hang in here together.

ainitfunny · Apr 1, 2003

The CDC has apparantly turned off the information faucet regarding the number of SARS CASES AND IN WHICH STATE THEY ARE LOCATED.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/

IF YOU LOOK AT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PAGE YOU WILL SEE A LINK TO U.S. CASES THAT YOU USED TO BE ABLE TO CLICK ON AND GET THE CURRENT NUMBER OF CASES AND WHICH STATE THEY WERE IN. They seem to have CLOSED that page, and are no longer releasing that information to the public.

If this is deliberate, there is Much to be very concerned about.