The Ministry of Health on February 11 urged the public to take protective measures, including regular washing of hands, to avert the spread of the highly infectious red eye disease following an outbreak in neighbouring countries such as Tanzania and Kenya. According to the ministry, the disease is spread through touching the eyes of infected people or contaminated surfaces. ALSO READ: Conjunctivitis: Highly contagious but preventable In case of an outbreak, people are advised to avoid being in crowded places, hugging and shaking hands. Infected people would also be warned to avoid swimming in public water pools and sharing hygienic materials. ALSO READ: Understanding conjunctivitis Causes of red eye disease The medical condition is also known as conjunctivitis (pink eye). It is caused by several viruses and bacteria, some of which are very contagious. Each of these types of germs can spread from person to person in different ways. They usually spread from an infected person to others through close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands, the air by coughing and sneezing, and touching an object or surface with germs on it, as well as touching eyes before washing hands, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Symptoms of pink eye can vary but typically include redness or swelling of the white of the eye. Other causes include chemicals, contact lens wear, foreign bodies in the eye (like a loose eyelash), indoor and outdoor air pollution caused, for example, by smoke, dust, fumes, or chemical vapors, fungi ameba and parasites. It can be difficult to determine the exact cause of conjunctivitis because some symptoms may be the same no matter the cause.” The CDC states that the symptoms of conjunctivitis can include, pink or red color in the white of the eye, swelling of the conjunctiva (the thin layer that lines the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid) and eyelids, increased tear production, feeling like a foreign body is in the eye or an urge to rub the eye, itching, irritation, or burning, discharge like pus or mucus. Among other symptoms such as crusting of eyelids or lashes, especially in the morning, contact lenses that feel uncomfortable and do not stay in place on the eye. Types of conjunctivitis have different symptoms, for instance, viral conjunctivitis can occur with symptoms of a cold, flu, or other respiratory infection, while bacterial conjunctivitis is more commonly associated with discharge (pus), which can lead to eyelids sticking together and sometimes occurs with an ear infection. According to CDC, allergic conjunctivitis usually occurs in both eyes, can produce intense itching, tearing, and swelling in the eyes, and may occur with symptoms of allergies, such as an itchy nose, sneezing, a scratchy throat, asthma while conjunctivitis is caused by irritants can produce watery eyes and mucus discharge. Medical experts stress that although at times it is important to seek medical care for conjunctivitis, it is not always necessary, noting that to help relieve some of the inflammation and dryness caused by conjunctivitis, a person can use cold compresses and artificial tears, which they can purchase over the counter without a prescription. When to seek medical care? The CDC urges seeing a healthcare provider if you have conjunctivitis along with pain in the eyes, sensitivity to light or blurred vision that does not improve when discharge is wiped from the eye, intense redness in the eye, and symptoms that get worse or don’t improve. “Newborns with symptoms of conjunctivitis should be seen by a doctor right away.” For diagnosis, a doctor can often determine whether a virus, bacterium, or allergen is causing the conjunctivitis based on patient history, symptoms, and an examination of the eye. Conjunctivitis always involves eye redness or swelling, but it also has other symptoms that can vary depending on the cause. As noted, the symptoms can help a healthcare professional diagnose the cause of conjunctivitis. However, it can sometimes be difficult to make a firm diagnosis because some symptoms are the same no matter the cause.
