The downside of the monsoon season is infections and epidemic breakouts. Nowadays, there is a rapid spread of eye infections or eye flu throughout India. And more so because it is contagious, we need to know about the pink eye flu symptoms in detail.
Let's start with understanding what causes pink eye flu or conjunctivitis in brief before discussing its treatment.
What causes Pink Eye Flu or Conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as Pink Eye Flu, is a condition of eye infection that surges in the monsoon season. The delicate conjunctiva that protects the white portion of the eye catches diseases and influences for multiple reasons.
We will explore some of these reasons further in the article.
Viral Infections
Viral infections or conjunctivitis is a common reason for eye flu in people. The adenoviruses are responsible for spreading conjunctivitis and eye flu viral infections. This is the same virus responsible for spreading the common cold and respiratory infections in the body.
In general, this infection spreads via droplet infection by contacting contagious surfaces. It affects the eyes badly and makes them red and swollen.
Bacterial Agents
Another reason that causes pink eye flu is a bacterial infection. Bacteria such as Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumonia are common agents for spreading eye flu. The chances of bacterial conjunctivitis are the highest during rain and changing seasons.
Because bacteria breed on most surfaces and can enter the eye through ways like touching by hand, it has severe eye flu symptoms compared to viral conjunctivitis.
Allergens
Common allergens can also cause problems like pink eye flu. For example, plant pollen, mites, pet hair, and dust or mold spores can trigger eye flu in people. The allergen causes the body to release histamines that lead to inflammation of the conjunctiva, causing redness and irritation.
If you have eye flu because of allergens,, don't worry; it is not contagious or infectious. And due to the increase of histamine release internally, this flu affects both eyes.
Unhygienic Contact Lens
People who wear contact lenses can also catch eye flu. Specifically, if you do not focus or follow the instructions for lens hygiene, it becomes difficult to avoid eye infections. The eye flu symptoms can be severe in this kind of eye infection due to close contact with contaminants or bacteria.
Common Eye Flu Symptoms
You can quickly identify if you have eye flu by noting these common symptoms. Below are signs you should not ignore as you try to prevent yourself from catching eye infections.
Redness and Irritation
One of the critical symptoms of eye flu is redness and irritation. The infection in the eye conjunctiva causes inflammation and leads to eye dilation. As a consequence of the dilation, the eye turns pink or red.
Viral conjunctivitis makes it itchy or scratchy all the time. Any foreign particle or allergen can elevate the itchiness. Specifically, the redness is more often visible in the mornings or after rest time.
Watery Eyes
Watery eye flu symptoms are common in eye infections due to excessive tear production. In other cases, people also have a slimy and wet discharge from infected eyes which causes the eyelashes to crust.
There is a discharge of fluids because the infection stimulates the tear gland defense mechanism. In case your eyes get watery and crusty, it might be the start of eye flu. The watery eyes also result in blurry vision.
Swelling or Puffy Eyes
The eyes often swell up due to itchiness and severe irritation. The eyelids specifically swell up due to allergic conjunctivitis. If the infection is not treated promptly, the swelling can turn into eyelid edema. There is a sharp sensation of pain along with swelling.
Photophobia
Sensitivity to light or photophobia is another eye flu symptoms due to the dilation of blood vessels and conjunctiva inflammation, the eye's capacity to adjust to light changes. The eye flu or pink eye causes utter discomfort or pain due to bright light.
Discomfort in Blinking
Conjunctivitis and flu like symptoms lead to discomfort in blinking the eyes because of inflammation. The irritation in the conjunctiva causes a lot of pain and irritation and can be one of the clear symptoms of eye flu.
Next, we have compiled a list of treatments and precautions to follow if you have eye flu.
Do's and dont's to Prevent Eye Flu
We have always heard that prevention works better than cure, so we have put together some do's and dont's to prevent eye flu. Let's begin with discussing the things to follow to avoid eye flu.
Practice Hygiene
To begin with, you need to focus on hygiene because eye flu is an infectious disease. Make sure to follow basic hygiene practices like washing hands frequently. Ensure to make a safe distance from people who have eye flu symptoms.
Follow Lens Hygiene Tips
Another way to ensure and avoid flu symptoms, eye pain, or itchiness is by following hygiene tips while using lenses. If you wear contact lenses, following the instructions for cleaning and handling them becomes important because they can be a breeding ground for viruses that cause eye flu.
Monitor Your Symptoms
Monitoring the symptoms is an important part of preventing eye problems that people miss out on. You must track eye health and contact professionals immediately if you see any conjunctivitis and flu like symptoms.
Warm or Cold Compresses
In case of eye flu or conjunctivitis, you can use ice packs or heat bags to comfort your eyes. This basic home care for flu conjunctivitis treatment provides eye comfort and reduces swelling.
Repeat this process throughout the day to reduce the pain in the eyes. Remember to discard the tissues or sanitize the ice packs used for warm or cold compresses.
We will move on with the things you should avoid to prevent infections. Here are the dos:
Avoid Sharing Things
Avoid sharing personal items like toiletry or napkins with someone with eye flu. This way, you can minimize the chances of catching contagious eye flu or infections. You should also avoid swimming or activities that expose your eyes to viruses or irritants that cause eye flu.
Avoid Touching or Rubbing the Eyes
One big mistake we all make is rubbing our eyes after touching foreign objects and infected surfaces. This increases the chances of infection and also spreads the disease to people around us.
Say No to Contact Lenses
Many eye specialists recommend avoiding contact lenses during monsoon season or when eye infections increase. The reason being wearing lenses at these times can lead to severe conditions.
Also, discard contact lenses if you use them during eye infections because they retain the infectious virus that was it.
Also Read: 8 Tips To Save Your Eyes From Screen Fatigueness
Takeaway
The bottom line is to keep yourself safe from eye infections, make sure to monitor and identify eye flu symptoms at the earliest. And if you have any of the signs that we have listed, make sure to seek proper eye flu treatment and begin treatment as soon as possible.
Even though the problem of eye flu and infections has solutions, it is better to avoid and prevent these infections as they might stick around for a long time and create trouble for you in many ways.
