A guide to why the virus causes certain symptoms
IN ABOUT 3 per cent of people who catch coronavirus, one of the most obvious symptoms is conjunctivitis, or red eyes.
This develops when virus particles from an infected person get into the eyes, for example from a sneeze or a cough.
The virus irritates the conjunctiva, a thin, transparent membrane that covers the surface of the eye, causing it to become red and inflamed. From here, the virus is able to penetrate the bloodstream and circulate around the body. Other viruses, such as cold or flu, can also cause this type of conjunctivitis, that can last for up to three weeks.
As this is caused by a virus there are no medicines for it, so treatment usually involves using a cold compress (cotton wool balls soaked in cooled boiled water), or taking an anti-inflammatory painkiller, such as ibuprofen.
Bacterial conjunctivitis, on the other hand, causes sticky eyes and responds well to over-the-counter antibiotic drops or ointment.
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