Conjunctivitis Outbreak | Eye Flu Outbreak | Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Precautions to Prevent Eye Flu Spread

 

Conjunctivitis, also known as eye flu, 

is spreading due to heavy rains and floods in various places like Delhi, Mumbai, and Arunachal Pradesh. It makes your eyes red, itchy, and may have gooey discharge. You might find it hard to open your eyes in the morning due to crusts. The condition is usually caused by viruses, bacteria, or allergies, but it doesn't affect your vision and can be treated.

Conjunctivitis spreads fast and can survive on surfaces like doorknobs and towels. It can also pass easily in places with poor ventilation. To avoid spreading it, don't touch things after touching your eyes, and avoid sharing personal items during an eye infection.

Here are some common questions about conjunctivitis answered by an expert:

Can you get eye flu from looking into someone's eyes?

• No, you can't get eye flu just by looking into someone's eyes. It spreads through direct contact with the infected person's eye secretions, not just by looking.

Can eye flu be spread through the air?

• Yes, eye flu can spread through tiny particles when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Wearing a mask can help reduce the risk of getting infected through the air.

Why is eye flu contagious and how does it spread?

• Eye flu is contagious because it can survive on surfaces and is passed through contact with infected eye secretions. Crowded places and close contact with infected people can also spread it quickly.

What are the first symptoms of eye flu and what are the worrying signs?

• Early symptoms include redness, itching, excessive tearing, and feeling like there's something gritty in your eyes. Worrying signs are severe eye pain, vision problems, and increasing redness around the cornea.

What precautions can you take to manage eye flu and prevent its spread?

To manage eye flu and prevent it from spreading, follow these steps:

1. Avoid close contact with others if you have eye flu symptoms.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently for at least 20 seconds.
3. Don't touch or rub your eyes to avoid getting the virus in your eyes.
4. Don't share personal items like towels, pillowcases, makeup, or contact lenses.
5. If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses until the infection clears up.
6. Wear a mask in crowded places to reduce the risk of airborne transmission.
7. If you have severe symptoms or suspect eye flu, seek medical advice promptly.

Certainly! Here's some additional information about conjunctivitis and its prevention :

Conjunctivitis, or eye flu, is a common eye infection that can spread quickly from person to person. It happens when your eyes get red, itchy, and produce a sticky discharge. Rainy seasons with floods can make it spread more.

You cannot catch eye flu by just looking into someone's eyes. It spreads through touching the infected person's eye fluids and then touching your own eyes.

Surprisingly, eye flu can also spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Tiny droplets can reach your eyes and cause infection.

The reason it spreads so easily is that the virus can survive on things like doorknobs and towels. So, touching such objects and then touching your eyes can also lead to infection.

Early symptoms include redness, itching, and tearing in the eyes. As it gets worse, you might become more sensitive to light and have more eye discharge.

Worrying signs are severe eye pain, problems with vision, and increased redness around the cornea.

To manage eye flu and prevent it from spreading:

1. Stay away from people who have eye flu symptoms.
2. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
3. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
4. Don't share personal items like towels, pillowcases, makeup, or contact lenses.
5. If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses until the infection clears up.
6. Wear a mask, especially in crowded places, to reduce the risk of airborne transmission.
7. If you suspect you have eye flu or experience severe symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

Taking these precautions will help you recover from eye flu faster and protect others from getting infected. Remember, simple steps can make a big difference in stopping the spread of conjunctivitis!