sudden overnight bloodshot eye

[timelesspa]

generally l wouldnt associate the two but vague references to red eyes and the fact my mother has COPD and works in a care home makes me wonder if she should call the relevant professionals.. at the moment because there isnt pain or soreness she plans to ignore it.. but lm worried it could be something more serious.

[specialmom]

You know, whenever one of my kids are going to get sick, I usually know.  Their eyes show it first.  They just always 'look sick' and we call it sick eyes.  So, I understand what you are saying.  However, here is the good news.  Your mom works in health care/ care home.  Is this like a nursing home?  If so, I would imagine they are taking her temperature before she enters.  They are worried about what is brought INTO those patients as they are more vulnerable.  So, they are monitoring her.  Since she has COPD, that's a respiratory disorder that may make her more vulnerable and how old is she? If she is at higher risk, perhaps a leave of absence would be best or make sure she is doing everything possible to protect herself.

Blood shot eyes on their own don't mean much of anything related this.  If she shows any symptoms at all, the rule where I live is to assume you have it and isolate.  The hallmark signs are cough, fever and possibly shortness of breath.  I would avoid going to the doctor if you can help it for anything right now until this eases up as you know . . . that's where all the sick people are going.  So, it's going to be a risky endeavor.  Most doctors ARE taking phone calls and also providing telemedicine. So, if she begins to cough (usually a dry cough) or develops a fever, call right away.  

Here is a good list of comparing covid 19 to flu to cold.    https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-identifying-the-symptoms.pdf

[Paxiled]

Is she working long hours?  Most people in the medical industry are these days, and what they are seeing isn't for the faint of heart.  The CDC website has the symptoms of the virus on it and bloodshot eyes aren't one of them.  If she does work in a care facility, she has been well briefed by now on what to look for, and given how overburdened our outrageously unprepared system is to handle this I'd defer to her on this.  Now, if she gets a fever and starts coughing and has trouble breathing, that's a different story.