As pink eye cases expected to rise this winter, experts say it’s not a common symptom of COVID - masslive.com

As winter approaches, conjunctivitis, a common, irritating eye ailment, will become more common.

"Conjunctivitis is an unpleasant eye condition that is a very common health issue among both kids and adults," Dr. Vincent Meoli, regional medical director of American Family Care said in a press release. "Pink eye is inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the tissue that lines the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. The condition is commonly caused by viruses, bacteria and allergens, but other irritants can cause pink eye as well."

A common symptom of the ailment, where it also got its name, is red or pink color in the white part of one or both eyes. Other symptoms include itching, irritation, discharge of pus or mucus, crusting of eyelids or eyelashes, watery eyes and a feeling like something is in the eye, according to the release.

Pink eye is not often serious, but vision can be affected if it's not treated promptly.

"Some of the viruses and bacteria that cause pink eye can be very contagious and are often spread through contact such as handshaking, through the air by sneezes or coughs or by touching something with germs on it then touching your eyes," Meoli said. "Because of its contagious nature, pink eye can spread fast in places such as daycares and schools."

Many can treat pink eye at home, using cold compresses and eyedrops. During an infection, contact lenses should not be worn and medical experts encourage that any products that came in contact with affected eyes are thrown away.

"Pink eye caused by a virus will usually clear up in one to two weeks without treatment. Antibiotics may be prescribed for bacterial conjunctivitis, but this type of pink eye often improves in two to five days without treatment," Meoli said. "When it comes to pink eye caused by allergies, removing the allergen from a person's space will help."

If pink eye causes pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision that doesn't improve, severe eye redness or a weakened immune system, medical attention should be sought.

"The spread of conjunctivitis can be prevented if people focus on good hygiene and infection control measures," Meoli said in the release. "If you have pink eye — or if you're around someone who does — wash your hands often with soap and water, avoid touching your eyes and do not share personal items."

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread in the U.S., it is important to note that the virus that causes COVID is not a common cause of pink eye, Clinical Quality Manager and nurse practitioner at PhysicianOne Amelia Nadler told MassLive. However, there are a small number of conjunctivitis cases brought on by the virus.

"We are learning more about COVID-19 every day, and with that comes uncovering new potential symptoms," Nadler said.

The most common type of viral conjunctivitis and is most often caused by adenovirus while bacterial conjunctivitis, which is more common in the winter, most commonly occurs in children. It can also occur in adults though, especially those who improperly cleaned contact lenses.

"When in doubt, get checked out. If you suspect you have pink eye or COVID-19, I encourage you to seek guidance from a medical professional because both are highly contagious," Nadler said. "Testing is our greatest safety net as we continue to navigate this pandemic, and there are plenty of tests to go around."

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As pink eye cases expected to rise this winter, experts say it's not a common symptom of COVID - masslive.com

As pink eye cases expected to rise this winter, experts say it's not a common symptom of COVID - masslive.com