Recently, India has been witnessing an outbreak of conjunctivitis. Gujarat alone recorded 2.17 lakh cases of conjunctivitis since June, but the daily count is decreasing slowly. Other states of India like Maharashtra and Chattisgarh are also experiencing many cases. This is a very common infection seen during the monsoons. Conjunctivitis is also called pink eye due to the color of the eyes during infection. It is basically the inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin membrane covering the white part of the eye and inner eyelids. The outbreak is due to coming in contact with exposure to the irritant.
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What causes pink eye?
Conjunctivitis can be caused by viruses or bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas, allergens and irritants, sexually transmitted infection-causing viruses such as herpes virus, or any other foreign objects. In children, if the tear gland remains blocked then conjunctivitis can be caused.
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What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?
Pink eye has various symptoms-
-Redness
-Discharge of yellow, green, or white fluid based on causative agent
-Itching and burning
-blurred vision
-swelling of eyelids
-continuous tearing
How does it spread?
Conjunctivitis can be easily spread by:
-coming in contact with the infectious mucus or eye fluid of the patient by touch
-by touching contaminated surfaces.
-spread by body fluid such as vaginal fluid or semen.
How to prevent the spread of conjunctivitis?
-Use a clean handkerchief or tissues to clean your eyes.
-Wash your hands thoroughly very often or sanitize them regularly
-Avoid touching your eyes more often
-Avoid eye makeup as much as possible
Breaking the myth!!
Conjunctivitis does not spread by simply watching any other infected patient's eye. It can be spread only if one comes in contact with the discharged eye fluid by any means or contaminated surface.How can it be treated?
Treatment is provided to a patient based on the cause of pink eye.
1. Viral conjunctivitis- It doesn't require serious treatment unless it is caused by the herpes virus or varicella-zoster virus. The basic medication provided is anti-viral drugs.
Antibiotics do not work on viral conjunctivitis.2. Bacterial conjunctivitis- Anti-bacterial which could be a pill, ointment, or drops are prescribed to the patients.
3. Allergic conjunctivitis- The treatment of anti-histamines or steroids is provided to the patient to suppress the allergic reaction.
Until next time, take care of yourself and stay healthy.
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