Facts About Conjunctivitis and it's Causes, Signs and symptoms, Prevention




Conjunctivitis




  • Madras eye.
  • Pink eye.
  • Eye flu.
  • It is redness and inflamation of the membranes covering the whites of the eyess and on the inner part of the eyelids.
Causes
  • The leading cause of a red, inflamed eye is viral infection.
  • A number of different viruses can be respondible.

Signs and symptoms
  • Vary from moderate to severe.
  • Eye redness (hyperemia) is a common symptom.
  • Swollen, red eyelids.
  • More tear production in the eye than usual.
  • Make you feel as though there is something in the eye.
  • An itching or burning sensation.
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
  • Creamy white or thick yellow drainage that causes the eyelids to be red, puffy, or stick together in the morning may indicate a bacterial infection.


Diagnosis
  • A doctor can usually diagnose conjunctivitis by its distingusihing symptoms.
  • However a slit lamp examination may be required.

When conjunctivities means some thing more?Persistent conjunctivitis can be a sign of an underlying illness in the body.

Prevention
  • Highly contagious.
  • Spread by direct contact with infected people.
  • Proper washing and disinfecting can help prevent the spread.
  • wash your hands frequently, particularly after applying medications to the area.
  • Avoid touching the eye area.
  • Never share towels or hankies.
  • Throw away tissue after use.
  • Change bed linen and towels daily if possible.
  • Disinfect all surfaces, including worktops, sinks and doorknobs.
  • If your are sick, then limit yout contact with other people.
  • Avoid shaking hands with person suffering from conjunctivitis.
  • Viral conjunctivitis has no treatment - you just have to let the virus run its course which is usually four to seven days.
  • Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotic eye drops, ointment or tablets to clear the infection.
  • To reduce pain from conjunctivitis use a cold or warm compress on the eyes.
How long its contagious?Conjunctivitis is infectious from around the time symptoms appear until the time when the symptoms have resolved.