The monsoon season is very pleasant like this, but you need to be careful because the diseases occurring in the monsoon can spoil your fun. These days, in many states of the country, people are troubled by the problem of Eye Flu. This problem that occurs during the rainy season is a kind of viral infection. Be it children or old people, men or women, anyone can come in its grip. Let us know in this article what eye flu is, why this problem occurs and what things should be kept in mind when eye flu occurs.
Conjunctivitis or Eye Flu, also referred to as conjunctivitis, is a common and highly contagious eye infection. It can be caused by a virus, bacteria or allergy, which can cause redness, itching and excessive eruptions. Although eye flu does not pose a serious threat to health, it is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in crowded places or through direct contact with infected individuals.
What is Eye Flu or Conjunctivitis?
Eye flu is known by many different names, like in most places it is called conjunctivitis or ‘eye ana’, whereas in some places people know this disease by the name of ‘red eye’ or ‘pink eye’. There is a thin transparent membrane-like layer between the white part of our eyes and the inner side of the eyelids which is called conjunctiva. The problem of eye flu (conjunctivitis) is caused by inflammation in this conjunctiva. These days most of the cases of eye flu are due to viral infection caused by adenovirus.
Symptoms and causes of eye flu (conjunctivitis):
Usually the problem of conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria, virus or any kind of allergy. Bacterial or viral conjunctivitis can spread from one person to another, but if conjunctivitis is caused due to an allergy, it is not a contagious disease. Most cases of eye flu get cured on their own within two to three days to a few weeks, but if the problem is seen increasing, do not delay in visiting the doctor.
Here are the main symptoms of Conjunctivitis or Eye Flu:
- red eyes
- eyelid swelling
- sticky mucus coming out of the eyes
- itchy or gritty feeling in eyes
- White or yellow discharge from eyes
- pain in the eyes
- sticking eyes upon waking up
However, in some cases, your symptoms also depend on which virus you have been infected with. Because of that, some people may also experience symptoms like cold, flu or mild fever.
Preventive Tips for Eye Flu or Conjunctivitis:
Eye flu infection spreads very quickly from person to person. The main reason for its spread is the discharge coming out of the eyes. Due to eye flu, severe itching starts and people repeatedly touch the eyes due to which part of the sticky discharge sticks to their hands and in this way the rest of the people in the house or the surrounding area also get infected by it. Viral conjunctivitis first starts in one eye and within a few days, both the eyes are affected.
Many people also believe that looking into the eyes of an infected person can spread eye flu. Let me clear you that this is not the case at all. Eye flu is not spread by seeing but by coming in contact with the discharge coming out of the eye of the infected person or by touching and using their personal things.
This problem spreads rapidly among the children studying in the school. In school, children are not able to take care of hygiene as much as while playing or eating, they often come in close contact with each other, which increases the chances of getting infected.
If you want to save yourself and your children from the eye flu, then follow the things mentioned here seriously…
1- Keep hands clean: Wash your hands several times a day with soap for at least 20 seconds. If there is no soap around, then keep a sanitizer with you and clean your hands with it. Make sure to wash hands before and after cleaning the eyes and putting eye drops.
2- Do not touch the eyes: Due to eye flu, severe itching starts in the eyes, due to which your hand goes to the eyes again and again. Do not do this at all because by repeatedly touching or rubbing the eyes, the chances of spreading the infection to the other eye increases further.
3- Do not share your belongings: Do not share personal items like your towel, eye makeup items, contact lenses with others. Even if more than one person is infected in the house, then keep everyone’s eye drops separately. If you are infected, keep a distance from the child.
4- Do not go to public places: If you or someone close to you has conjunctivitis, then try to stay away from public places to prevent it from spreading further. Rest at home for as long as possible and give rest to the eyes. Minimise the use of TV, mobile or laptop these days because it can further increase the burning sensation and heaviness in the eyes.
5- Wear spectacles: Always wear spectacles when you have eye flu. Due to this, your eyes are saved from dust or pollution, as well as you avoid touching the eyes again and again, due to which the infection does not spread much.
6- Eat nutritious things: Take special care of your food while being infected. These days, eat nutritious things so that your immunity becomes stronger and you can get well soon.
7- Don’t do eye-makeup: Do not apply any kind of make-up like eye-liner, mascara etc. in the eyes if you have eye flu. The chemicals present in these things can increase your problem further.
8- Do not go to school or office: If the child has got eye flu, do not send the child to school for a few days. Similarly, older people should also avoid going to the office for a few days if they have the flu.
Home Care Tips for Conjunctivitis or Eye Flu:
If you have been infected with eye flu, then do not panic, but by adopting some simple home remedies, you can get relief from it quickly. There is no need to immediately go to the doctor for eye flu as most of the cases get cured within 2-3 days. Just you have to take care of cleanliness and other things. Come let’s know:
Wash the eyes with cold and clean water:
Due to eye flu, there is a lot of burning or itching in the eyes. In such a situation, if you splash on the eyes with clean cold water, the burning and itching reduces and the eyes get relief.
Hot fomentation:
Take a clean and soft cloth and soak it in lukewarm water and keep it as a bandage over the eyes for some time. This reduces the swelling of the eyes rapidly.
Ice pack:
If the swelling of the eyes has increased, then wrap a small piece of ice in a clean tissue paper or clean cotton cloth and keep it on the closed eyes for some time. You will get relief very quickly from this. By doing this, swelling as well as itching and burning also reduces.
When to contact the doctor for eye flu:
Even after adopting the measures mentioned above, if there is no relief, as well as the swelling and discomfort increase, then immediately consult a doctor. Keep in mind that without consulting a doctor, do not buy any eye drops directly from the medical store.
According to experts, the cornea can also get infected due to carelessness in eye infection. In some cases, eye infection is caused due to some other reason and people delay the treatment thinking it as eye flu. Doing this can cause more harm to the eyes. Therefore, if the redness and swelling in the eyes continue to increase even after two to three days, then go to an eye specialist and get it checked.
In case of young children, never try to self-medicate or put any eye drops without consulting a doctor.
Believe me, by adopting the remedies and precautions mentioned here, you can keep your eyes safe from infection and enjoy the monsoon to the fullest.
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How did you like the information about Conjunctivitis or Eye Flu : Causes, Symptoms & Prevention Strategies? Do tell in the comments.
