Cases of viral conjunctivitis have increased multifold in the past few weeks. Some commonly asked questions about this condition.
What causes conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is a general word used to describe any form of infection or irritation to the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane that covers the white part of the eye.
The common causes of conjunctivitis are:
• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Allergies to pollen dust or smoke or contact lenses,
• Irritants like pool chlorine, chemicals, shampoos, dyes
The current outbreak of conjunctivitis is due to a virus. What are the symptoms?
The features of the current outbreak of viral conjunctivitis are pink or red color and swelling in the white of the eye, watering and excessive tear formation, feeling of a foreign body sensation in the eye, itching, burning and a whitish or yellowish discharge from the eye. There can even be small blood clots on the white of the eye.
How is viral conjunctivitis transmitted?
By direct or indirect contact with an infected person usually from school, office , neighborhood or home. Tears of an infected individual contain millions of viruses and infect the hands and handkerchief or towel or tissue used to wipe the eyes.
This in turn can infect anything which comes in contact including door handles, taps, computer peripherals, desks etc. If another person touches a contaminated surface and then touches the eyes, he or she will get infected in turn.
