Coping with Conjunctivitis During Floods: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention Strategies

As the rainy season approaches, it is important to be aware of the potential risks of red eye disease - a contagious and painful eye infection. This article will discuss the causes, symptoms, and preventive strategies related to this condition so we can stay healthy.

Administrator

23 August, 2023

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The Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention of Red Eyes

1. The Causes of Red Eyes

Red eyes are a condition caused by eye infections characterized by redness, a feeling of fullness, and pain in the eyes.

– Causes: The cause of red eye disease is Adenovirus or bacteria such as staphylococcus, streptococcus, and pneumococcus.

– Transmission Routes:

Close contact with the patient’s body fluids (tears, saliva, etc.).
Contact (touching, shaking hands, etc.).
Shared use of household items with the patient.
Holding or touching objects that the patient has touched, such as elevator buttons, personal belongings, door handles, etc.
Using or swimming in contaminated water sources such as ponds, lakes, swimming pools.

2. Symptoms of Red Eyes

When red eyes occur, patients often experience the following symptoms:

Red eyes with sticky secretions adhering to the eyes upon waking up.
Redness usually starts in one eye and then spreads to the other.
Discomfort in the eyes, feeling a grittiness as if there is sand in the eyes.
Yellow or green eye secretions depending on the causative agent.
Swollen, watery, red eyelids with pain, itchiness, and tears.
In severe cases, conjunctivitis with the presence of false membranes.
Reduced visual acuity, filmy layer on the eyes, hemorrhage under the conjunctiva, etc.
Feeling tired, slight fever, sore throat, cough, etc.
Swollen lymph nodes in the ears.

3. Prevention of Red Eyes

While red eye disease is usually benign and temporary, it can interfere with daily activities and potentially affect vision if left untreated. Therefore, it is important to be aware of preventive measures and seek prompt treatment when infected. Here are some prevention methods:

– When not experiencing red eyes:

Use separate towels, pillows, and face wash basins.
Frequently wash hands with soap, use clean water, and maintain personal hygiene.
Wash face towels with soap and clean water, and air-dry them in the sun daily.
Avoid frequently rubbing the eyes with hands.

– When experiencing red eyes, in addition to the above preventive measures, consider the following:

Frequently wash hands with soap or disinfectant solution.
Use physiological saline 0.9% to wash the eyes at least three times a day.
Do not share eye drops or use shared items with the patient.
Limit going to crowded places, especially those with high pathogen exposure.
Limit contact with people who have red eyes.
Avoid using contaminated water sources and limit swimming.

Advice in case of suspected or current illness:

Clean the eyes at least twice a day with a damp paper towel or cotton, discarding the towel after use.
Do not use eye drops meant for healthy eyes on infected eyes.
Keep children with the disease at home and avoid crowded places.
Avoid exposure to smoke and dust, wearing protective glasses if necessary.
When experiencing red eyes in one eye, be careful not to infect the other eye. Tilt the head, close the eye, and use a medical gauze to wipe away secretions and tears.
Rest, isolate, and follow prescribed medication. Do not self-medicate with eye drops or use eye drops from others.
Seek medical examination, consultation, and treatment when signs of red eyes appear.
Avoid close contact when children are sick.
Thoroughly wash hands with soap or disinfectant solution before and after cleaning the eyes or applying eye drops.

References: VTV, Báo Sức khỏe và Đời sống (Ministry of Health’s press agency), updated on July 19, 2021.

We hope this article has provided you with valuable information about the causes, symptoms, and prevention of red eyes to help you better protect your health!