RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Conjunctivitis may be among the symptoms of Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. In a statement, the American Academy of Ophthalmology warned that the symptom may have gone unnoticed in cases of contagion of the disease.
The American Academy of Ophthalmologists recommends that ophthalmologists use eye, nose and mouth protection when attending to patients who are infected with the novel coronavirus or suspected of being infected.
“In regions with a high incidence of the disease, virtually any patient seen by an ophthalmologist may be infected with SARS-CoV-2, regardless of risk factors or referral for the visit,” says the organization.
Conjunctivitis caused by the novel coronavirus would look like any other and, therefore, can go unnoticed as one of the symptoms of the disease.
Common hygienic practices against the novel coronavirus, such as constant cleaning of environments, particularly doctors’ offices, can prevent the virus from spreading and prevent conjunctivitis associated with it.
In a study published in the scientific periodical Journal of Virology, researchers analyzed 30 people with Covid-19. The conclusion was that only one had conjunctivitis. However, the other 29 presented ocular secretions with the coronavirus. In another study, with more than 1,000 people, it also found cases of conjunctivitis in people with Covid-19.
In other words, the symptom is considered uncommon in Covid-19 patients, which the American Academy of Ophthalmology itself recognizes. The most common symptoms of the disease are fever, dry cough and difficulty breathing.
Source: Exame