In recent weeks, the weather has been conducive to the dissipation of pollens in the air. So like every year, at the time of spring, allergies to pollens are back. Exactly, you have conjunctivitis and you are wondering if it is a sign of allergic rhinitis or of coronavirus.
Coronavirus and conjunctivitis: what we know
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) launched, in early March, an alert to the attention of ophthalmos: patients who come to consult for conjunctivitis could in fact be suffering from the coronavirus. “Patients who also have fever and respiratory symptoms, including cough and shortness of breath, and who have recently traveled abroad or have some family members recently returned from one of these countries could represent cases of COVID-19 “underlines the AAO, which recommends that doctors protect their mouth, nose and eyes when treating these patients.
The virus found in eye fluids
A study of 30 Chinese patients hospitalized for COVID-19 published in the Journal of medical virology, shows that one of the patients with conjunctivitis had traces of the virus in the tear fluid and conjunctival fluid. “This suggests that the coronavirus can infect the conjunctiva and cause conjunctivitis, and that viral particles are present in the ocular secretions” underlines the AAO. Therefore, the coronavirus could also be transmitted by aerosol contact with the conjunctiva.
Pollen allergy or coronavirus: how to tell the difference?
It is true that some symptoms between pollen allergies and Covid-19 are similar explains to France 3, Professor Christophe Marguet, pediatrician and pneumo-allergist at Rouen University Hospital, specialist at Rouen University Hospital. But he continues, “thanks to their experience, they will be able to recognize the nuances between these symptoms”. So allergy or covid-19?
Symptoms of pollen allergies:
- Runny nose, stuffy nose, repeated sneezing, need to blow your nose and scratch your nose.
- Regarding conjunctivitis: the eyes are red and itchy.
- Regarding respiratory problems: we hear wheezing when breathing in a person with asthma.
- Never fever
Symptoms of Covid-19
- Symptoms of a cold (cough, fever)
- In conjunctivitis, the person’s eyes are red, they don’t itch, the eye is rather painful.
- Breathlessness is manifested by signs of shortness of breath.
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