What is conjunctivitis?
This is inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a thin transparent membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. The spread of conjunctivitis has been rapid, ever since there has been an increase in the intensity of monsoons.
What are the most common symptoms of conjunctivitis?
The common symptoms of pink eye include redness in one or both eyes. Itchiness in one or both eyes. A gritty feeling in one or both eyes. Inability to open eyes in the morning because of a discharge, tearing sensation in the eyes, and sensitivity to light known as photophobia.
What are the main features of conjunctivitis in India?
There are more than 10 million cases every year. It is highly contagious and spreads very easily. It is usually self-diagnosable. Laboratory tests or X-rays are rarely required, This is typically self-diagnosed. This is a self-limiting disease, and most individuals may become normal within a week.
How to prevent the spread of conjunctivitis?
Washing hands frequently is the key. Avoiding physical contact with infected individuals is necessary. Simple handshaking with an infected individual can encourage the spread of this highly contagious disease. Use a clean towel or tissue each time you wipe your eyes or face. Always wash your hands before and after you eat, or after you cough or sneeze. Try not to touch your eyes. If you do, wash your hands immediately. Clean or replace your contact lenses. You should not use contact lenses till the infection gets cured.
How long conjunctivitis remains contagious?
As long as there are symptoms and discharge, the individual remains contagious. The individual can return to school or work after the eye is no longer red, or the discharge has stopped. There is no specific treatment for viral conjunctivitis. Since the onset of the rainy season, the incidence of conjunctivitis is on the rise. The sudden rise in the number of pink eyes also known as conjunctivitis is causing immense distress in people in almost all states. Conjunctivitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens, or irritants. Particularly, those areas that had severe rainfall had more cases of conjunctivitis.
What is the best treatment for conjunctivitis?
There is no specific treatment for viral conjunctivitis, as the body fights the virus on its own. Keeping a cool wet clean cloth on your eyes can give you relief. If the conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics and eye drops. For conjunctivitis due to allergies, different eye drops are used. In case the conjunctivitis remains for more than a week, please consult your ophthalmologist.
Why should you wear dark glasses if you have conjunctivitis?
Dark glasses are recommended to prevent the spread of infection. Conjunctivitis does not spread just by looking at others. The purpose of wearing dark glasses is to prevent discomfort from light sensitivity or photophobia.
How to reduce the menace of conjunctivitis?
Transmission of conjunctivitis occurs through direct or indirect contact. Direct contact usually occurs through droplets of an infected person who is coughing or sneezing. Indirectly it can spread via shared personal items like towels, pillows, make-up objects, or contact lenses. This eye flu gets transmitted by fingers or contaminated objects. So if a person suffering from conjunctivitis touches a surface and then another person touches the same surface and touches his eyes again, then conjunctivitis will spread to the new person.
As the monsoon is at its peak, so also viral conjunctivitis is a very common occurrence for the last few days. Viral conjunctivitis is a self-limiting infection of the conjunctiva. However, it spreads very rapidly. Schools, densely populated communities, offices, colleges, and public places are areas from where the infection spreads rapidly.
