How dangerous is the coxsackie virus A24 variant that causes pink eye?

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health , the results of gene sequencing of patient samples with appropriate viral loads identified coxsackie virus A24 (86%), human adenovirus 54 (11%) and human adenovirus 37 (3%) as the causative agents of the pink eye outbreak in Ho Chi Minh City.

Fast spreading speed, some cases can cause sore throat, digestive disorders

On September 17, Dr. Nguyen Minh Tien, Deputy Director of the City Children's Hospital, said that there is no evidence to confirm the severity of the disease compared to other virus strains, however, the coxsackie virus A24 has a fast spreading speed.

"Coxsackie A24 virus is a variant of group C enterovirus with an RNA nucleus. Meanwhile, adenovirus contains a DNA nucleus. Studies show that viruses containing RNA have a faster spreading speed than those containing DNA," Dr. Tien analyzed.

In addition, there is a difference, which is that coxsackie virus A24 not only causes conjunctivitis in the eyes, but in some cases can cause conjunctivitis in the cheeks, lips, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, digestive disorders, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea...

A case of pink eye

Coxsackie A24 virus can cause severe but usually acute conjunctivitis, the disease resolves quickly in about 3-5 days, longer about 7-10 days. Coxsackie A24 virus rarely causes keratitis, but in some cases can cause corneal edema. Meanwhile, the adenovirus group that causes pink eye can cause chronic keratitis.

When you have pink eye, never use this eye drops on your own.

Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is the main manifestation in the current epidemic.

Specialist Doctor Le Duc Quoc (Department of Ophthalmology, Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital) said that conjunctivitis caused by coxsackie virus A24 is mainly characterized by red eyes, so the disease is also commonly called hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. In addition, the disease also has a number of other symptoms such as itchy eyes, pain, swollen eyelids, discharge, and systemic viral symptoms.

Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis spreads rapidly, most of the time it can heal on its own. However, in a few cases, it can cause corneal edema. Patients need to go to eye hospitals for examination to get appropriate treatment.

Also according to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is the main symptom in the current outbreak of red eye in Ho Chi Minh City. According to scientific reports around the world, the main agent is the enterovirus group, including the coxsackie A24 and EV70 variants.

Coxsackievirus A24 contains a rapidly spreading RNA core.

To prevent pink eye, Dr. Quoc recommends that people pay attention to a number of issues such as regularly washing hands with soap; not rubbing eyes, nose, mouth; not sharing personal items; cleaning eyes, nose, throat daily with saline, regular eye drops, nose drops; disinfecting the patient's belongings and utensils with soap or regular disinfectants; limiting direct contact or close contact with people with pink eye.

In particular, experts note that people with pink eye should absolutely not arbitrarily use eye drops containing corticosteroids.

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