'Less-obvious symptoms' as American Covid strain spreads across UK

'Less-obvious symptoms' as American Covid strain spreads across UK A pharmacist has spoken about evidence of signs beyond the usual cough or fever If you get a cough, fever or sore throat you might think COVID-19. But what about red, gritty or sticky eyes? According to a pharmacist, these less obvious symptoms could also be worth paying attention to as COVID cases rise heading into winter. It comes as thousands of people across the UK are falling ill with the dominant strain of Covid, XFG, dubbed American Covid after rapidly spreading across the USA. It has been known of since last year, but has now become dominant in several countries. Pharmacist Noel Wicks, an adviser to GoldenEye, explained: “The COVID-19 virus can enter the body through our eyes where it may cause symptoms.” The warning comes as the latest UKHSA figures published on October 15 showed that COVID-19 test positivity had risen from 7.6% to 8.4% in one week. Studies confirm symptom Mr Wicks said: “Clinical studies have demonstrated that conjunctivitis (red eye) is present in people who test positive for coronavirus, with rates of conjunctivitis ranging from 2% to over 14%, even if people don’t have any other COVID symptoms. In fact, conjunctivitis can be the first and/or the only symptom of COVID. A scientific review involving 20 studies and 3,383 people confirmed conjunctivitis as the most common COVID-related eye condition. “The COVID virus can get into several body organs including the throat and lungs, as well as the eye’s surface and eyelids. When a droplet containing the virus lands on the surface of the eye, the virus likely travels from the eye surface into the internal cavity of the eye reaching the retina at the back of the eye." Confirmation of eye problems Mr Wicks said: “A super study involving 6,308 people estimated that eye symptoms were found in approximately 11% of Covid sufferers, with the most frequent being cited as conjunctivitis (88.8%). In the same meta-analysis, dry eye or foreign body sensation (16%), eye redness (13.3%), tearing (12.8%), and itching (12.6%) were among the most frequent symptoms reported. “In addition to the possibility of Covid-generated eye symptoms, conjunctivitis usually strikes when a person’s immune system is low, so if you catch Covid, you may be more suspectable to conjunctivitis too. Over the winter, winter conditions and poor immune function together with rising COVID cases creates a perfect storm for conjunctivitis." Early signs to know Mr Wicks said: “Early symptoms of conjunctivitis (red eye) include the white of the eye turning pink, sore and inflamed eyelids, gritty itchy eyes and a white or yellow discharge coming from the eyes. These symptoms need to be tackled very quickly. “A pharmacist can advise whether a pharmacy treatment may be suitable. For example, Golden Eye Eye Drops help to soothe and treat sore, red eyes – it contains propamidine isethionate (not antibiotics), which works by stopping bacteria from growing and multiplying, which controls the numbers of bacteria causing an infection. "Make sure to keep your eyes clean by washing them gently with a clean flannel to remove any crusts. Don’t rub your eyes as this can transfer infection from your hands to your eyes. Remove contact lenses and don’t wear eye makeup until the infection is better.”