Red, runny eyes, a symptom of RSV
Blog vol 3. 28. Red, runny eyes, a symptom of RSV.
We have seen a number of people with two red and runny eyes the past few weeks.
Every fall the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) gains access to our noses, bronchial tubes, and lungs. Most children under two years will be infected at some point as well as many of the rest of us. The theory is that we did such a great job of masking, social distancing, and disinfecting in 2021 that the RSV did not spread much. Enter 2022, and with less masks and measures and reduced built-up immunity, we have the perfect RSV storm. (Read more here).
RSV can really affect children under two, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. People infected with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of illness. However, some infants, and people with weakened immune systems, can continue to spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms, for as long as 4 weeks. This extra length of time seems to be the norm for the current version.
RSV can survive for many hours on hard surfaces such as tables and crib rails. It typically lives on soft surfaces such as tissues and hands for shorter amounts of time. Of particular interest to us at Burlington Eyecare, is the eyes as possible doorways for the virus. Usually, the primary infection enters through the respiratory tissues, however, an interesting paper, published in 2007, looks at the eye as a primary site for the entrance of the virus, since the conjunctiva has soft tissue. (Read more about ocular virology here) Interesting, something to consider.
We have been getting a lot of patients in the door with conjunctivitis (red, runny eye) in both eyes, unlike the adenovirus (aka pink eye) which usually presents in one eye at a time. The eyes are red with matting of the lids in the morning, with watery discharge and some gummy discharge in the nasal corners. The likely cause is RSV, but we are in some cases also treating for opportunistic bacterial infections.
If you find yourself or your children with a flu/cold (potentially RSV) and you develop red, runny eyes there are ways to self-treat. Start out with cold compresses on the eyes, cleaning the lids if matted, and use cold lubricating drops if eyes are swollen; your regular flu medications should also help alleviate the symptoms. These symptoms should resolve in a couple of days. If they persist, are unresponsive to any of the above treatments, or if you are concerned, please call our office.
It is unusual to have so many cases of two red, runny eyes. As we have learned with COVID, viruses are always evolving; they are never quite the same year to year, which is why we keep getting infected with RSV year after year. Red, runny eyes appear to be a potential symptom of the 2022 version.
Prescription: liquids, rest,…
til next week,
the good doctor
