Do eyes become red during the early symptoms of COVID-19 infection?
Mar 17, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Jiang Weimin
Introduction
Redness of the eyes is generally not an early symptom of COVID-19 infection. Eye redness is not a specific symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, it may occur in certain circumstances. For example, if respiratory droplets containing the SARS-CoV-2 virus splash into a healthy person’s eyes, they may trigger ocular inflammation, leading to eye redness—though such cases are relatively rare.
Novel coronavirus infection is a viral disease caused by coronaviruses and is an acute respiratory infectious disease. Clinically, it is characterized by fever, cough, and sore throat. So, does conjunctival redness (i.e., “red eyes”) occur during the early stage of COVID-19 infection?
Does conjunctival redness occur during the early stage of COVID-19 infection?
Conjunctival redness is generally not observed in the early stage of COVID-19 infection. Red eyes are not a specific symptom of novel coronavirus infection; however, they may occur under certain circumstances. For example, if respiratory droplets containing SARS-CoV-2 enter the eyes of a healthy individual, this may trigger ocular inflammation and result in conjunctival redness. Nevertheless, such transmission via the ocular route is relatively rare; the vast majority of cases result from respiratory transmission.
In the initial phase of novel coronavirus infection, the predominant symptoms are fever, fatigue, and dry cough. Symptoms typical of upper respiratory tract infections—such as nasal congestion and rhinorrhea—are uncommon. Some patients may present with atypical manifestations, including gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., diarrhea, nausea), or non-respiratory symptoms such as palpitations, headache, chest pain, and myalgia in the limbs. These patients often have an insidious onset and exhibit high transmissibility; therefore, prompt diagnosis, immediate isolation, and physician-guided symptomatic pharmacotherapy are essential.
The above addresses the question of whether conjunctival redness occurs during the early stage of COVID-19 infection. We hope this information is helpful to you.
