As you probably know, COVID-19 is the disease caused by the new coronavirus. This is the abridged version of “coronavirus disease 2019” or maladie à coronavirus 2019 in French. COVID-19 is associated with several symptoms, and more recently, some researchers have discovered that conjunctivitis can be a symptom of COVID-19. We tell you everything in this article…
COVID-19 and conjunctivitis, what should you know?
This new variant of the coronavirus, COVID-19, has symptoms similar to the flu, including a dry cough or increased fatigue. Some researchers have however revealed another symptom, conjunctivitis. This is what the American Academy of Ophthalmology said in a statement. The coronavirus could therefore cause this inflammation of the eye, and be transmitted by aerosol contact with the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that covers the inside of the eyelids.
Coronavirus found in ocular secretions
According to numerous analyzes carried out in China after the appearance of COVID-19, researchers have found traces of the virus in ocular secretions. These statements are based on two recent studies on the subject. The first, published in the Journal of Medical Virology, was conducted on 30 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in China. One of the patients had conjunctivitis. The second, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, was conducted on 1,009 Chinese patients affected by the coronavirus and 9 of them suffered from conjunctivitis.
COVID-19 prevention
Diseases related to the new coronavirus can develop very differently. For example, some people have mild symptoms and barely notice they are sick. Others need intensive care in the hospital. So if you have any of these symptoms, go to the hospital immediately for immediate treatment. Note also that conjunctivitis remains a fairly rare symptom, but vigilance is required.
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