The Ocular Manifestations and Transmission of COVID-19: Recommendations for Prevention.
J Emerg Med
; 59(1): 137-140, 2020 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32456959
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by a novel coronavirus termed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been linked to ocular signs and symptoms in several case reports. Research has demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 is spread primarily through close contact via respiratory droplets, but there is the possibility for ocular transmission, with the conjunctiva as a conduit as well as a source of infection.DISCUSSION:
Ocular manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 include follicular conjunctivitis, and have been repeatedly noted as an initial or subsequent symptom of COVID-19-positive patients. Particularly in patients with ocular manifestations, there is evidence that the virus may present in tears, based on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in conjunctival swab samples via reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The virus may therefore be transmittable from the ocular surface to a new host via contact with the ocular mucosa, tears, or subsequent fomites.CONCLUSIONS:
All health care professionals should ask patients about ocular symptoms consistent with SARS-CoV-2, and use eye protection such as goggles or face shields as part of the standard personal protective equipment for high-risk patients in addition to wearing of masks by both the patient and provider, and should consider tears to be potentially infectious.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Contexto em Saúde:
1_ASSA2030
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2_ODS3
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4_TD
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Pneumonia Viral
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Infecções por Coronavirus
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Coronavirus
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Pandemias
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Emerg Med
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article