how eye flu cause - #15368
I am worried because my son has been having these weird symptoms that seem like eye flu or something. Just last week, he started complaining about his eyes feeling really itchy and we noticed they were all red. He was also tearing up a lot and kinda squinting whenever he looked at bright lights. I took him to the pediatrician, and they mentioned something about how eye flu cause could be linked to allergies or even viral infections. But honestly, I’m still kinda confused. Like, how does eye flu cause these symptoms in kids? We've tried keeping him inside more to avoid allergens, but it seems not to help much. The doctor suggested some eye drops, but I’m not sure if that’s gonna fix the root problem. Could it be contagious? I've heard mixes of opinions on eye flu cause being due to bacteria or viruses. Is it just something that will pass, or should we be doing something else? Any thoughts from other parents or docs would be super helpful! I'm just trying to understand how eye flu cause these issues because it’s really stressing both of us out.
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Doctors’ responses
Eye flu, more formally known as viral conjunctivitis, is primarily caused by viral infections that affect the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the whites of your eyes and the inner side of your eyelids. In kids, these infections often originate from common viruses like adenoviruses, which can also cause respiratory symptoms. This could explain why your son’s feeling itchy and experiencing redness and tearing in his eyes. As you’ve noticed, photosensitivity or discomfort in bright light can also occur. Viral conjunctivitis spreads easily, especially in settings where close interaction with others occurs, because the viral particles are present in tears and other discharge. While keeping your son inside might reduce exposure to allergens, it won’t necessarily address those viral or other airborne particles. Since it’s quite contagious, encourage frequent handwashing and avoid sharing towels or pillows to mitigate spread. Allergy and irritant-based conjunctivitis do have overlapping symptoms but need different management. Use the prescribed eye drops as they might help soothe irritation, even if they won’t clear the virus itself. The condition is usually self-limiting, meaning it can resolve on its own, often within a couple of weeks. But if symptoms worsen or don’t improve, or if he develops vision changes, seeing a specialist may be warranted. In the meantime, applying a cold compress gently over his eyelids might alleviate discomfort. Ensure he gets adequate rest to help his immune system fight off the infection. If the pediatrician suspects a bacterial cause, which is less common but possible, antibiotic drops would be necessary. Understanding the exact cause can sometimes be tricky without professional evaluation, so continue to monitor his symptoms closely and keep in line with medical advice provided.
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