Conjunctivitis incidences have increased all over the country, from Delhi, Mumbai, and Arunachal Pradesh, as a result of the country’s constant rain, flooding, and waterlogging. In reality, schools in a number of areas in Arunachal Pradesh have been closed for a few days due to the alarming increase in instances of eye flu. Conjunctivitis can cause redness, itching, and discharge in the eyes, and because a crust may form over the affected eye in the morning, it may be difficult to open that eye. The person may appear to have enlarged eyes and be sensitive to light. An infection, whether bacterial, viral, or allergic, is a common cause of conjunctivitis.  

Conjunctivitis spreads quickly and can persist for a long time on surfaces like towel hangers, tissues, and doorknobs. It can also quickly spread in poorly ventilated areas. When suffering from conjunctivitis, one should refrain from touching anything after coming into contact with their eyes. Sharing private objects is not advised if you have an eye infection.

How can I prevent getting the eye flu? 

The idea that eye illness can spread simply by staring into someone else’s eyes is a widespread one. This is not totally accurate, though. Conjunctivitis, often known as eye flu, is most commonly spread via direct contact with an infected person’s eye discharge. It is not enough to just stare someone in the eyes to communicate. When you touch your eyes after coming in contact with the infected person’s eye secretions, the virus may spread to you as well.

Why is eye flu such a contagious disease? How is it dispersed?

The capacity of eye flu to survive on surfaces and its transmission through direct or indirect contact with infected eye fluids can be ascribed to its high contagiousness. The virus can survive on materials like towels, tissues, and doorknobs, aiding in the transmission of the disease. Along with these factors, close contact with infected people and crowded areas might hasten the virus’s spread.

What symptoms appear initially with eye flu? What signs are most worrisome about it?

Eye flu’s earliest signs and symptoms include itchiness, excessive tearing, redness, and a gritty feeling in the eyes. Patients may suffer heightened light sensitivity and eye discharge as the condition worsens. The acute eye discomfort, vision loss, and increased redness that is spreading around the cornea are the eye flu’s most worrisome symptoms.