Open AccessConjunctivitis as the only sign and symptom of COVID-19: A case report and review of literature
Author(s) -
Hamzeh Mohammad Alrawashdeh,
Khalid Al Zubi,
Dina Abdulmannan,
Omar Al-Habahbeh,
Luai AbuIsmail
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
qatar medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.171
H-Index - 9
eISSN - 2227-0426
pISSN - 0253-8253
DOI - 10.5339/qmj.2021.31
Subject(s) - medicine , covid-19 , sign (mathematics) , tears , presentation (obstetrics) , pandemic , dermatology , coronavirus , allergic conjunctivitis , eye care , disease , pediatrics , ophthalmology , optometry , surgery , immunology , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , asthma , mathematical analysis , mathematics , outbreak
Similar to several viruses, coronaviruses can affect the eye and cause conjunctivitis. In addition to ocular involvement, it causes systemic manifestations, mainly respiratory symptoms. However, conjunctivitis as the only sign and symptom of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rare presentation. We present a case of a 20-year-old male patient who presented with conjunctivitis for 3 days and diagnosed on the same day with COVID-19 without other manifestations. Conjunctivitis affected both eyes and resolved over 2 weeks with artificial tears only and without any ocular complications. Conjunctivitis can be the only sign and symptom of COVID-19 in some patients. Therefore, healthcare providers, particularly ophthalmologists, should take precautions when dealing with patients presenting with conjunctivitis amid the COVID-19 pandemic.