Human eyes are important part of body which enable us to see surrounding. Eyes are sensitive in nature and need a special care for proper functioning. A blind man can’t take the joy of life. This indicates that how much it is important to take care of our eyes. Unhealthy routine can give rise to some serious kind of eyes conditions. These eye conditions can sometime cause permanent blindness. One such condition is eye flu, that is very popular now a days. It is a spreadable virus that is medically termed as conjunctivitis.
Eye flu is not age restricted, it can affect the people of all ages. Eye flu happens when the thin, clear layer covering the white part of your eyes and the inside of your eyelids gets inflamed. There are different reasons why you might get eye flu, like catching a virus or bacteria, having allergies, or coming into contact with things that irritate your eyes. It can make your eyes feel uncomfortable and annoying, but in most cases, it gets better with the right care and treatment, and it usually doesn’t lead to any big problems.
Types of Eye Flu:
Eye flu can characterized in four major types, that are briefly described below:
Viral Conjunctivitis:
Viral conjunctivitis is when your eye gets red and itchy because of a virus. It’s super contagious and people call it “pink eye” because your eye turns pink or red. Viruses like adenoviruses usually cause it, and you can catch it by touching someone’s infected eye or things they’ve touched. Symptoms include redness, watery eyes, itching, and sensitivity to light. It usually gets better on its own in one to two weeks, but there’s no medicine to cure it because it is a virus. You can use cold compresses and eye drops to feel better. Remember to wash your hands, avoid touching your eyes, and keep your things clean. This stops it from spreading to others. If you are worried, talk to a doctor.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis:
Bacterial conjunctivitis is when your eye turns red and gooey because of bacteria, not viruses. It can spread from person to person, but it’s not as easy to catch as the viral kind. When you have it, your eye might be red, and there could be goo or stuff coming out of it. Sometimes, your eyelids can swell too. Doctors can give you special eye drops with antibiotics to make it go away faster. Remember to wash your hands a lot, don’t share towels, and try not to touch your eyes. If your eye looks really bad or hurts a lot, you should see a doctor for treatment. Usually, with the right care, it gets better in a few days.
Allergic Conjunctivitis:
Allergic conjunctivitis happens when your eyes get itchy, red, and watery because you are allergic to something like pollen, dust, or pet dander. It’s not contagious, so you can’t give it to others. When you have it, your eyes might feel like they have an itch you can’t scratch, and they can get really watery. Sometimes, they can also be puffy. Over-the-counter allergy eye drops can help soothe the itching and redness, and avoiding the things that trigger your allergies is a good idea. If it doesn’t get better, talk to a doctor. With the right care, your eyes can feel better soon.
Chemical Conjunctivitis:
Chemical conjunctivitis happens when something like a cleaning product or some chemical stuff gets into your eye. It can make your eye turn red, hurt a lot, and feel irritated. The good news is that it doesn’t spread to others. When it happens, you should quickly rinse your eye with clean water for at least 15 minutes. This helps wash out the chemical and ease the pain. If your eye still hurts or stays red, see a doctor for the right treatment. They can make it better. Remember, it’s essential to be super careful with chemicals near your eyes to avoid this kind of trouble.
Causes of Eye Flu (Conjunctivitis):
Eye flu, or conjunctivitis, can have several different causes. One common cause is viral infections. These viruses, similar to the ones that cause the common cold, can infect the thin, clear membrane covering your eye and inner eyelids. Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can spread through direct contact with infected eye secretions or contaminated surfaces. Bacterial infections are another culprit. Bacterial conjunctivitis can occur when harmful bacteria invade the eye, causing redness, discharge, and discomfort. This type of conjunctivitis is also contagious but typically less so than the viral form.
Allergic conjunctivitis is triggered by allergies to substances like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or certain foods. When you come into contact with allergens that irritate your eyes, they can become red, itchy, and watery. Additionally, environmental factors, such as exposure to smoke, chemicals, or other irritants, can also lead to conjunctivitis. These irritants can cause your eyes to become inflamed and uncomfortable.
Symptoms of Eye Flu (Conjunctivitis):
When you have eye flu, also called conjunctivitis, there are some things you might notice happening to your eyes. Your eye might turn pink or red, which is why they call it “pink eye.” It could also get all watery, like tears are coming out even when you are not sad. Sometimes, your eyes feel really itchy, and you might rub them a lot. And there can be stuff coming out of your eye, like goo or watery stuff. In the morning, your eyelids might be puffy, making it a bit hard to open your eyes. Sometimes, bright light can make your eyes hurt more. You might even feel like there’s something scratchy or sandy in your eye. And, if you wear glasses or contacts, your vision might get a bit blurry.
It is important to remember that not everyone with eye flu has all these things happening, and some people might have different symptoms. If your eyes are bothering you like this, it is a good idea to see a doctor to figure out what’s going on and how to make your eyes feel better.
Treatments for Eye Flu (Conjunctivitis): How to Feel Better
When your eyes have the flu, which is also called conjunctivitis, how you treat it depends on what’s causing it. Here’s what you can do:
1. Viral Conjunctivitis: If a virus is behind your eye flu, don’t worry too much. It usually goes away on its own in about one to two weeks. You can use cool and clean cloths on your eyes to make them feel better. And if your eyes feel dry and uncomfortable, over-the-counter eye drops can help with that. But remember, antibiotics won’t work because they fight bacteria, not viruses.
2. Bacterial Conjunctivitis: If bacteria are causing your eye flu, your doctor might give you special eye drops or ointment with antibiotics. Follow the instructions your doctor gives you carefully, and your eyes should get better in a few days.
3. Allergic Conjunctivitis: When allergies are the reason for your eye flu, you can try over-the-counter allergy eye drops to ease the itchiness and redness. Also, it’s a good idea to avoid things that make your allergies act up, like pollen or pet fur.
4. Chemical Conjunctivitis: If something like a chemical or cleaning product gets into your eye and causes the problem, here’s what to do: Rinse your eye with clean water for at least 15 minutes. This helps wash out the chemical. If the pain or redness doesn’t go away, see a doctor.
5. Keep It Clean: No matter what’s making your eyes feel flu-ish, always remember to wash your hands a lot, avoid touching your eyes, and make sure your things are clean. This helps prevent it from spreading to other people.
6. Doctor’s Help: If your eye flu doesn’t get better or gets worse, it’s important to visit a doctor. They can give you the right treatment and advice for your specific situation.
Preventing Conjunctivitis: Important Steps to Stay Healthy
Eye flu, also called conjunctivitis, can spread from one person to another, so it’s important to be careful. Here’s what you can do:
1. Wash Your Hands: Wash your hands a lot, and do it really well with soap and water. This is especially important after touching your eyes, face, or things that might have touched your infected eye.
2. Keep Your Hands Away: Try not to touch your eyes with your hands, especially if your hands aren’t clean. This can help stop the infection from spreading.
3. Personal Stuff: Don’t share personal things like towels, washcloths, or makeup with others. These things can pick up the infection and pass it on.
4. Be Clean: Keep things clean around you. Change your pillowcases often and don’t rub or touch your eyes too much, as it can make things worse.
5. Isolation: If you or someone you know has the viral kind of eye flu, it’s a good idea to stay away from others for a while. This helps make sure it doesn’t spread, especially in places like schools or hospitals.
6. Avoid Things That Irritate: Stay away from things like smoke or chemicals because they can make your eye flu worse or make allergy-related eye problems happen.
7. Allergy Triggers: If your eye flu is due to allergies, figure out what’s causing it, like pollen or pet fur, and try to avoid those things.
8. See a Doctor: If you think you have eye flu or have been around someone who does, talk to a doctor for advice and to find out how to stay safe and get better.
By following these simple steps, you can protect yourself and others from eye flu and make sure everyone stays healthy.