EYE FLU

The infection occurring in the conjunctiva that lines the eyelid is called conjunctivitis. Popularly known as pink eye, conjunctivitis mostly occurs due to an allergic reaction or an infection. The inflammation that results from it causes swelling of the small blood vessels, which, in turn, gives a pink or red cast to the white portion of the eyes. A highly contagious disease, conjunctivitis can spread from one person to other through direct contact. Overcrowded places, dirty surroundings and unhealthy living standards worsen the ailment. In the following lines, we have listed the various causes and symptoms of conjunctivitis.

Causes Of ConjunctivitisDirect contact with an infected person Overcrowding Unhygienic surroundings Eyestrain Bacteria Virus Irritating substance or material in the eyes Allergies Ophthalmia neonatorum Environmental factors, such as smoke, dust, or pollen Chemical splash in the eye

Symptoms Of ConjunctivitisEyes turn reddish Itching in the eyes Watery secretion from the eyes Pus formation in the eyes Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid Increased amount of tears Thick yellow discharge from the eyes, which crusts over the eyelashes, especially after sleep Green or white discharge from the eye Burning eyes Blurred vision Increased sensitivity to light Inflamed eyes

One of the effective remedies for curing conjunctivitis is to mix 2 tsp. chamomile flowers and 1 tsp oregon grape root in 2 cups of boiling water. Once cooled, strain this mixture and use it as an eye wash. Sliced potatoes would also be beneficial in curing conjunctivitis. Peel the potato and cut it into thin slices. Apply on the affected area of the eye. Prepare a tea using goldthread leaves and use it as a eye wash. Not only does it cure the swollenness caused and the infection, it also relieves a person of the pain. An excellent eye wash for treating conjunctivitis would be to prepare a decoction using handful of dried coriander in 60 ml of water. It relieves a person of the pain and lessens the swelling as well. .

Increase in the consumption of vitamin A and B2 helps in curing conjunctivitis. The foods rich in Vitamin A are whole milk, yoghurt, butter, carrots, pumpkin, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, mangoes, and papaya whereas green leafy vegetables, almonds, citrus fruits, bananas and tomatoes have high content of vitamin B2. Indian gooseberry juice has medicinal properties which cure conjunctivitis. Prepare a cup of this juice and add two teaspoons of honey. Consumption of this juice two times everyday would be beneficial. Carrot juice also is effective in treating conjunctivitis. To enhance the efficacy of this, add spinach to it. Mix 200 ml of spinach juice with 300 ml of carrot juice.

Another combination of raw parsley juice 200ml, mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice also has therapeutic properties and provides relief. Sterile cotton ball and dip it in warm water. Use this to take away the crust formed on the eyelashes. Warmly compress the cotton against the eye to provide relief. Another remedy for conjunctivitis, would be apply poultice yogurt on the infected area of the eye. It would heal the itchiness caused.

HOME REMEDIES1. Use boiled dry coriander as an eye wash, it will relieve the burning and irritating feelings.2. Marigold flower is known to have anti inflammatory properties, so you can use them by compressing these flowers over your eyes.3. a regular intake of balanced diet rich with vitamin A and B2 is necessary to overcome from this disease quickly, as they will improve your immunity and strengthen your body from within.4. never forget to wear dark glasses

Do not share towels, handkerchiefs, linen, pillows, sunglasses, etc. Avoid shaking hands on physical contact with an infected person Patients should wear dark glasses Wash eyes and hands frequently Medicines are ineffective if it is due to a viral infection Consult your doctor and use medicines under his supervision

Some facts about eye flu:• The disease is caused by virus infection like adenovirus, herpes, simples virus, myxovirus and pox virus. • The disease is highly infectious, so if somebody around you is infected there is high risk of you getting infected. So take proper care in order to avoid the infection. • There is a myth that the disease spreads just by looking into the eyes of an infected person. But this is not true. • If somebody touch the infected eyes the fingers gets infected and if these fingers comes in contact of other person's eyes he may get infected. • One may also get infected from swimming pool also.

Symptoms of Eye Flu:• Red, swollen eyes. • Watery discharge from eyes. • Severe etching in eyes and/or pain in eyes. • Blurring of vision. • Lid Swelling. • Feeling of discomfort.

Prevention of eye flu:• Avoid going to swimming pool which has regular chlorination of water. • Avoid shaking hands esp. with the infected person. Wash your hand with soap after handshake with infected person. • Clean your eyes with clean water 2-3 times a day. • Don't use common towel or handkerchief.

Treatment of eye flu:• Wear dark goggles. • Use anti-allergic eye drops three to four times a day. • Close your eyes and apply ice wrapped in a cloth over the eye lids. • The disease is usually self limiting and normally goes away in around three days.Home Remedy for Conjunctivitis:• One of the effective remedies for curing conjunctivitis is to mix 2 tsp. chamomile flowers and 1 tsp oregon grape root in 2 cups of boiling water. Once cooled, strain this mixture and use it as an eye wash.

Sliced potatoes would also be beneficial in curing conjunctivitis. Peel the potato and cut it into thin slices. Apply on the affected area of the eye.

• Prepare a tea using goldthread leaves and use it as a eye wash. Not only does it cure the swollenness caused and the infection, it also relieves a person of the pain. • An excellent eye wash for treating conjunctivitis would be to prepare a decoction using handful of dried coriander in 60 ml of water. It relieves a person of the pain and lessens the swelling as well.

With monsoon, there has been an increase in the number of people suffering from conjunctivitis or eye flu.  It is reported by doctors that they are receiving about 20 cases of conjunctivitis every day. The common symptoms of eye flu are reddening of the eye, swelling, itching sensation, watering and discharge from the eyes. This virus spreads when a normal person come in contact with an infected one. 

A person suffering from eye flu should not indulge in self medication as it can worsen the condition. Proper medication prescribed by an eye specialist should be used by the patients. Usually doctors recommend that an infected person should not touch the eyes as it aggravates the infection. 

“The number of conjunctivitis cases being reported is quite high. I have been handling nearly eight to 10 cases every day. The season provides ideal conditions for viral growth. The infection spreads through touch; touching door knobs, tables, using infected linen and the like facilitate its spread. Hand hygiene is the most important precaution to be taken”, said Dr Jaiveer Singh.

Vegetable juices have proved beneficial in treating conjunctivitis. Take about 200 ml of spinach juice and add 300 ml of carrot juice to it. Consume this mixed juice everyday and see its wonderful effects. * Take 1 cup of the juice extracted from Indian gooseberry and mix 2 teaspoons of honey in it. It should be consumed two times in a day. * In 60 ml water add a handful of dried coriander and wash your eyes with it. It not just relieves pain but also reduces pain. * Eat foods rich in vitamin A and B2 like curd, butter, whole milk, pumpkin, almonds, tomatoes etc. Hope you feel better!

Contact your doctor. He can help you determine the cause of your infection, as well as the best course of treatment, which can vary depending on the cause of pink eye

Rinse the infected eye with saline solution. A saline rinse can help loosen any particles in the eye that may be causing the irritation

Place a compress on the infected eye. The compress can be either cold or warm, and will make your eye feel better. Warm compresses can also help loosen any hard crust that may be on the infected eye.

Put chamomile tea on the infected eye. A moist and cool chamomile tea bag placed on the closed infected eye for about ten minutes at a time, can also help relieve any discomfort or pain. You can do this every few hours as needed.

Use artificial tears, a non-prescription product that's available at drug stores with other eye drops. Artificial tears can help lessen any burning or itching that may be associated with the pink eye. Follow the instructions on the artificial tears bottle for use.

Take a prescribed medication. In some cases of pink eye, a doctor will prescribe either an antiviral or antibiotic medication. These medications are usually eye creams or eye drops.

Use antihistamines if recommended by your doctor. In cases of allergy caused pink eye, antihistamines can help relieve your pink eye symptoms; antihistamine eye drops will help also.Tips & WarningsAlways follow all of your doctor's recommendations for how to treat pink eye. Depending on its cause, pink eye can be highly contagious. The information in this article is not meant to serve as a substitute for regular medical advice and care. Always contact your physician if you have any concerns about your health.