Does any of your friends, colleagues or acquaintances now move around wearing sunshades, even when you can’t recall when last you saw them donning one? Do they refuse to pull them off in public?
If you answer ‘yes’ to all of these probes, your associate may have been infected with Apollo!
Yes, Apollo is the unusual name that has been given to what is medically known as conjunctivitis – a painful, infectious condition that causes the white portions of the eyeball (conjunctiva) to swell up and become red.
Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr. Grace Alile-Johnson, says many things can cause an individual to develop conjunctivitis. For instance, she says, a virus known as adenovirus can sometimes cause a serious and prolonged conjunctivitis.
“An individual can get conjunctivitis when he is infected by the infectious viruses or bacteria. These viruses and bacteria are the same ones that are responsible for colds, and infections of the ear, sinus, and throat. People who contract the infection through either of these agents can infect anyone who comes too close enough,” the physician warns.
She adds that you can develop conjunctivitis if your eyes are susceptible to irritation by certain chemicals, such as the ones found in some soaps and cosmetics, chlorine in swimming pools, etc. This may be at home, at work, or just about any place where such chemicals are being used. Your eyes may also be irritated by air pollutants such as smoke and fumes.
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Apollo eye AKA Pink eye
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“You may also be a victim of this infection if you develop allergies to dust mites, and dander (minute scales from feather, fur, skin, etc.),” the physician says.
Susceptibility
Conjunctivitis is no respecter of persons: an adult, a day old baby and persons of both sexes are susceptible to conjunctivitis infections anytime, anywhere.
Alile-Johnson warns that a pregnant mother who has sexually-transmitted infections such as Chlamydia or gonorrhoea could infect her baby by passing the bacteria or virus from the birth canal into the baby’s eyes during delivery.
She warns, however, that conjunctivitis in a newborn baby is different from the common “sticky eye” of a newborn, and therefore needs urgent medical attention.
If handled well, Alile-Johnson says, conjunctivitis does not cause long-term eye or vision damage, though it spreads rather quickly, hence the need to treat it promptly once someone is infected.
She counsels that while some kinds of conjunctivitis go away on their own, others need treatment.
Symptoms
According to healthcare professionals at the online portal, bupa.co.uk, conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes; with symptoms that include:
redness of the white of the eye
pain in the eye, such as a burning sensation, throbbing or aching
white or yellow discharge in the eyes, which may cause them to stick together in the morning and be difficult to open
blurry vision that clears on blinking, caused by discharge around the eye
a gritty feeling in the eye that may cause an itching or burning sensation
watery eyes
sensitivity to light, though this is usually mild
The ophthalmologist notes that if you have allergic conjunctivitis, you may have hay fever symptoms such as sneezing, a runny, itchy nose and itchiness at the back of your throat.
“If you have infective conjunctivitis, you may have cold-like symptoms, such as a fever and sore throat,” she says.
She warns that some of these symptoms may be due to problems other than conjunctivitis – in which case, she advises a visit to the doctor.
Prevention better than cure
The ophthalmologist says there are a few simple rules which can help you to avoid contracting conjunctivitis; while those who already have the infection should be careful not to pass it on to anyone else. One of such preventive measures includes washing the face and hands regularly with soap and water in order to kill bacteria.
She also counsels against rubbing the eyes; while she vehemently advises against sharing of face towels, eye make-up or eye drops.
Again, some people are fond of wearing other people’s glasses. The physician says this will, no doubt, make you susceptible to infection.
Alile-Johnson also counsels against swimming in public swimming pool, especially in this rainy season when many people are likely to come down with all sorts of infections, including conjunctivitis.
Home care for Apollo
The doctor says mild or moderate conjunctivitis doesn’t necessarily need any treatment. She says this is because the human tears contain chemicals that fight off germs, and that without treatment, most cases of infective conjunctivitis will clear on their own within one or two weeks. Indeed, she says, “more often than not, they clear within two or five days;” warning that if symptoms get worse, you should see a doctor.
The physician also counsels that you could use cool clean water to gently wash your eyes; while you may also use lubricating eye drops that should reduce whatever discomfort you may be feeling in the eye.
While your infection lasts, Alile-Johnson warns, don’t wear contact lenses until symptoms have completely gone; and for 24 hours after the last dose of any eye drop or ointment.
Credit: punchng.
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