Conjunctivitis - Pink Eye
Brief Summary:
It is an inflammation of the lining of the eye, which is known as the “conjunctiva” that affects one or both eyes. It is rapidly spreading, contagious and easy to treat. It affects individuals of all ages. The infection increases in crowded places.
Conjunctivitis Symptoms:
- Redness and swelling of the conjunctiva.
- Pain with itching sensation of an object inside the eye.
- The presence of secretions accompanied by a lot of tears.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Difficulty opening the eyes when waking up; The appearance of a crust-like membrane on the surface of the eye as a result of the secretions resulting from it during the night.
Conjunctivitis Causes:
- Viruses - viral infection - usually accompanied by clear secretions from the eyes, sometimes appear after infection in the upper respiratory tracts.
- Bacteria - a bacterial infection -, which is a common cause, especially in children in particular, and appears in adults, accompanied by relatively sticky secretions of greenish-yellow color, and here there is a link to a previous infection in the upper respiratory tract.
- External factors. The entry of a foreign body or various chemicals into the eye may cause inflammation in the eye, and it often fades quickly, and does not exceed 24 hours after the eye is rid of this external factor.
Conjunctivitis transmission methods:
- It is transmitted from the respiratory tract through coughing or sneezing.
- Handshake with people who are infected and carriers of the disease
- Contact with surfaces contaminated with pathogens.
- Rub the eye with the contaminated hand.
- Using the personal items of another person with the disease
Conjunctivitis complications:
It happens that the infection spreads to the cornea, which leads to blurring of vision. Therefore, treatment and early diagnosis can reduce the risk of complications.
Conjunctivitis Diagnosis:
Conjunctivitis is diagnosed by a doctor by studying symptoms and medical history, and then excluding other diseases, and a sample of eye secretions can be taken in order to accurately diagnose the contaminant and provide better treatment.
Conjunctivitis Treatment:
- Viral infection: its symptoms may last for up to 10 days, and then go away on its own. Treatment here is conservative and helps relieve symptoms through: cold compresses, moisturizing drops, avoiding the use of contact lenses during the illness.
- Bacterial infection: Viral treatment methods are followed in addition to the use of antiviral drops
- For bacteria given by a doctor.
Conjunctivitis Prevention:
- Avoid contact of hands with eyes.
- Wash hands frequently.
- Do not use other people's personal items.
- Change towels and pillowcases regularly.
- Replace the cosmetics used for the eye area, such as mascara.
- There is a common type of eye infection in newborns called neonatal conjunctivitis, caused by a germ in the birth canal. This type of infection is considered one of the most dangerous that can cause blindness to the infected person. So every newborn receives preventive treatment in hospital with a medicated ointment.
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