Pinkeye cases rise in allergy season. It might be a covid symptom, too.
Pinkeye - an inflamed, itchy and painful eye - is common during allergy season. But now some doctors are concerned the ailment may also be associated with a new coronavirus subvariant.
Health experts say they have not conclusively linked the condition, formally called conjunctivitis, to the subvariant Arcturus. But anecdotal reports suggest the subvariant may produce fever and conjunctivitis, mainly among children. "It's occurring in the setting where they've documented community spread of this virus," said William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Pinkeye can be caused by allergies, injury, bacterial infections or viral infections (not just covid), and can occur in both children and adults. We spoke with experts about what to do if you have this symptom and when to see a doctor.
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What do we know about conjunctivitis and the new coronavirus subvariant?
Medical professionals say although people who are diagnosed with covid do sometimes present with conjunctivitis, it is too early to tell whether there's a greater chance of pinkeye associated with the new subvariant.
"Before attaching a new symptom to the coronavirus, careful study is needed," said Monica Gandhi, an infectious-disease expert at the University of California at San Francisco.
Thomas Steinemann, a spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, said although coronavirus could cause the condition, other viruses are the more likely culprits. "Most conjunctivitis, when I see it, is not covid," he said.
Weather changes are also associated with pinkeye. "When we get those rapid shifts in temperature, a lot of times we see an uptick of conjunctivitis," he said.
If you are your family member have pinkeye and you have had a known exposure to covid or live in an area of high community spread, you may want to speak to your doctor about getting a coronavirus test.
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What causes pinkeye, and how can you tell which kind you have?
Conjunctivitis occurs when the mucus membranes of the surface of the eye become inflamed, causing discharge and the whites of the eyes to turn red or pink - giving it the name "pinkeye."
There are four main types. Viral conjunctivitis can occur during a cold, flu or sometimes covid.
Viral pinkeye tends to accompany other viral symptoms - fever, chills and body aches. Jennifer Shu, a pediatrician and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, said doctors in her practice in Atlanta are seeing a lot of adenovirus, a respiratory virus that causes the common cold and is a common cause of conjunctivitis, among pediatric patients right now.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is associated with thicker discharge, or pus, in the eye. Babies with bacterial pinkeye, for instance, "will often have their eyes matted shut," said Hailey Nelson, pediatrician in Madera, Calif. "That is a telltale sign that you really need to see your pediatrician."
Allergic conjunctivitis usually occurs during allergy season, along with other allergy symptoms - sneezing, scratchy throat or asthma. Experts say it is difficult for people to determine the cause on their own. If symptoms persist, consult your primary care or eye specialist.
Irritation or injury, including dry eye, which can cause friction in the eye, can also cause conjunctivitis.
"Conjunctivitis is part of a constellation of symptoms," Shu said, explaining that typically a doctor needs to assess the patient's eyes - and oftentimes the rest of the body - to make a proper diagnosis. Doctors will ask, "Are there other symptoms present in addition to eye involvement?"
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Is it contagious? How does it spread?
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are contagious and are transmitted much like other viral and bacterial infections - mainly by touching an infected eye and then touching a surface, such as a doorknob, that others may touch. It can also spread by touching another person who may then touch his or her own eye.
However, viral infections can also be spread through respiratory droplets, and that virus could present with conjunctivitis, said Steinemann, who is also a professor of ophthalmology at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.
Conjunctivitis caused by allergies, irritants or injuries is not contagious, but since you may not know the cause, be cautious around people with pinkeye. Experts said hand-washing is key to preventing transmission.
"No matter what the cause of the red eyes, I tell them, 'Don't rub your eyes, please - not only for the risk to the eye itself, but also I don't want whatever is on your eyes transmitted to someone else,'" Steinemann said. "We all carry bacteria on our skin and on our fingers."
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How is pinkeye treated?
Viral conjunctivitis will get better on its own as the body fights off the infection. But bacterial conjunctivitis often requires treatment - typically with ophthalmic, but sometimes oral, antibiotics. That's why it is important to get a proper diagnosis, Shu said.
For conjunctivitis brought on by allergies, medical professionals may recommend over-the-counter allergy medication or allergy eyedrops, she said. If symptoms persist, however, consult a doctor.
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What can you do to ease the symptoms?
Experts caution against rubbing or even touching the eyes. But comfort measures such as artificial tears and cool compresses can help alleviate the symptoms until the condition clears, experts said.
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