Can tears spread COVID? Heres what the experts are saying

<p>Ever since COVID-19 emerged, scientists and medical experts have been studying the coronavirus to understand how it mutates and transmits. A recent study by the Government Medical College in Amritsar&nbsp;found that the tears of COVID-19 patients have the potential to spread the virus to others.</p> <p>The study evaluated and compared the presence of the coronavirus in tears of COVID-19&nbsp;positive patients with and without &lsquo;ocular manifestation.&rsquo; Ocular manifestation refers to an eye disorder that is directly or indirectly caused by a disease in any other part of the body. The study included 120 patients, of whom 60 had ocular manifestation.</p> <p><strong>Also watch:</strong> <a href=https://www.editorji.com/story/early-covid-19-symptoms-differ-amongst-different-age-groups-and-sexes-study-1628574914043>Early Covid-19 symptoms differ amongst different age groups and sexes: Study</a><br /><br />The researchers evaluated the RT-PCR testing of tears of all the patients. The results said that 21 of them tested positive for COVID-19. The report further said that of these 21 patients, 11 had ocular manifestation and 10 did not, thereby proving that irrespective of the eye disorder, tears can still transmit coronavirus. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The study, which was published in the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, advised that ophthalmologists need to be careful and exercise extra caution while examining patients. And although respiratory droplets remain the primary source of the coronavirus infection, the risk of transmission through faecal-oral and conjunctival secretions must not be ignored. So, it is crucial to not touch your eyes as well, if you are around infected people.<br /><br /><strong>Also watch:&nbsp;</strong><a href=https://www.editorji.com/story/covid-19-during-pregnancy-linked-with-higher-risk-of-preterm-birth-study-1629013188863>Covid-19 during pregnancy linked with a higher risk of preterm birth: Study</a></p>