Do you have these Eye Flu symptoms? Diagnosis & Treatment
Eye flu or conjunctivitis can be a viral infection that can be present especially during the rainy season. You may start to experience burning, itching, and redness, as core symptoms of the infection. You should take immediate precautions and use over-the-counter medication for symptom relief.
It is also important to visit a doctor who can inspect the conjunctiva to check for signs of inflammation, redness, and irritation. They can prescribe the right medication depending on the condition of the eye and the age of the person.
Let's review the main symptoms of eye flu to know more about how best to get treated.
These are the main symptoms of eye flu
You should track these major symptoms of eye flu so that you're aware of the underlying reason for them.
Reddish eye appearance
The eye flu is characterized by the reddish appearance of the eye. It can be differentiated from an eye infection by the presence of other accompanying factors such as general sickness, exposure, seasonality, etc.
Discharge from eyes
Your eyes can experience discharge, as it is one of the key symptoms for eye flu. Eye flu causes thickened discharge in some cases, which is why it can be differentiated from eye infections.
Swelling and irritation
Swelling and irritation are one of the first few signs that you can start to notice when you have conjunctivitis. You can use eye drops to help with the irritation.
Fever
Unlike normal eye infections, you may experience fever and sickness when you have an eye flu. This is due to the presence of the viral infection which causes the irritation, redness, etc.
Issues with breathing
You can have issues with breathing as well which could be related to the eye flu as there may be an immune aspect associated with it.
Identifying the type of eye flu
You can identify the type of eye flu so that you can get the right treatment and determine the best course ahead.
Viral
The viral conjunctivitis is generally spread from one person to another during the rainy season or in highly tropical locations. When asking what is eye flu, the adenovirus is typically the one that is behind the vital symptoms.
Bacterial
If there is a thick green or yellowish discharge from the eyes, then there may be a case of bacterial conjunctivitis present in the person. You should immediately take them to a doctor who can perform a comprehensive diagnosis.
Allergy based
You or your child may also be prone to allergic conjunctivitis which can be caused due to a reaction from a particular allergen, which may be seasonal. It is not contagious and can be generally solved by reducing exposure and provide relief medication.
Here's what you should do when you have conjunctivitis
Your doctor will be able to perform the following diagnostic and treatment protocols when there is a risk of eye flu detected.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of the condition is done by analysing the eye flu symptoms and checking for signs of inflammation and redness. A visual test as well as an eye culture test is also performed to check for the presence of conjunctivitis.
Medication
Antiviral and antibiotics may be prescribed for conjunctivitis to ensure that there is no bacterial infection present. You can also take eye drops to help with medication administration, as well as acquire symptom relief. Medication such as moxifloxacin or tobramycin may be prescribed by a doctor upon examination.
Eye care
You will need to ensure that you're taking care of your eyes and avoiding direct contact with potential contaminants, contact lenses, and other areas where exposure can be present. You should also dispose off the discharge cleanly to avoid the infection spreading. You can also limit spreading by isolating and wearing sunglasses.
Home remedies
You can apply a heated pad, warm compression, and saline washes to help with the irritation and swelling. You can also ensure that you're avoiding direct rain water contact and maintaining hygiene practices when taking care of your eye infection.
* * Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphic, and images, are intended as substitutes for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice pertaining to your condition(s).
