Coronavirus, Influenza B, and the eye
Happy Friday once again. I have had kids home with snow days the last 2 Friday's so it seems especially quiet this morning. I am reading headlines about the 2020 novel coronavirus outbreak so it seemed fitting to discuss this a bit along with how it relates to your eyes. This also applies to the influenza B outbreak going through Knoxville schools right now as well.
We have all had a coronavirus infection at some point. It is a common virus and your symptoms would be like any mild viral infection and presented as a mild to moderate cold. The difference with this one is that it is new or "novel" and our immune systems are poorly equipped to fight it. This is similar to SARS, MERS, or even the Spanish flu where common viruses change and become much more potent.
Two years ago I did some traveling in Japan and in Asian countries post SARS it is common to see surgical masks on people just walking around in public. Culturally this is done more as a courtesy if someone is sick so they don't spread their germs rather than a way to prevent getting infected from someone else. Most of these surgical masks do not work well and will not stop a virus from getting through the mask. In order to prevent infection with a mask you need a N95 rated respirator and also training on the proper way to wear it.
Where the eyes come in play is the moist mucus membranes of the eye. It is interesting to me to see all these people wearing respirators and masks but yet no protection for the eyes. The mucus membrane of the eye can easily be a transmission point for a virus such as the novel coronavirus, or our local influenza B. So to wear a mask but leave the eyes unprotected makes no sense. One of the best ways of preventing colds, flu, etc is to not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth during cold and flu season. Humans like to touch their own faces and rub their eyes so this can be hard to do. Remember to wash your hands frequently and don't touch your face, especially your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Have a great weekend and lets all try and stay healthy.
Dr. Jason
We have all had a coronavirus infection at some point. It is a common virus and your symptoms would be like any mild viral infection and presented as a mild to moderate cold. The difference with this one is that it is new or "novel" and our immune systems are poorly equipped to fight it. This is similar to SARS, MERS, or even the Spanish flu where common viruses change and become much more potent.
Two years ago I did some traveling in Japan and in Asian countries post SARS it is common to see surgical masks on people just walking around in public. Culturally this is done more as a courtesy if someone is sick so they don't spread their germs rather than a way to prevent getting infected from someone else. Most of these surgical masks do not work well and will not stop a virus from getting through the mask. In order to prevent infection with a mask you need a N95 rated respirator and also training on the proper way to wear it.
Where the eyes come in play is the moist mucus membranes of the eye. It is interesting to me to see all these people wearing respirators and masks but yet no protection for the eyes. The mucus membrane of the eye can easily be a transmission point for a virus such as the novel coronavirus, or our local influenza B. So to wear a mask but leave the eyes unprotected makes no sense. One of the best ways of preventing colds, flu, etc is to not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth during cold and flu season. Humans like to touch their own faces and rub their eyes so this can be hard to do. Remember to wash your hands frequently and don't touch your face, especially your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Have a great weekend and lets all try and stay healthy.
Dr. Jason
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