what is the treatment of eye flu - #19338
I am dealing with this really annoying thing that started a few days ago. My eyes got super red and watery, like they were crying all day. I thought maybe it was allergies at first, but then my friend said it might be something called eye flu. I had no idea what that even means. I mean, what is the treatment of eye flu? I tried to look it up online, but, ya know, everything sounds so confusing. I get blurry vision sometimes too, and that just makes everything harder. My coworker had similar symptoms last month, and they said it took weeks to go away! It’s freaking me out a bit because I don’t want to feel like this for that long. The weird part is I don’t have other flu symptoms like fever or chills. Could it still be eye flu? I’m worried that maybe it’s something serious, or should I just stick with home remedies for now? Like, what is the treatment of eye flu? Should I see an eye doctor or just get some over-the-counter drops? Any advice would be great! Thanks!
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Doctors' responses
What you’re experiencing does sound like conjunctivitis, often referred to as “eye flu,” which is an inflammation of the lining of your eye and eyelid. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergies, or irritants. The fact that you don’t have systemic flu symptoms like fever suggests it might not be linked to a broader infection, so don’t worry too much about that being part of the problem. If it’s viral conjunctivitis, common causes include adenoviruses, and typically, it resolves on its own within a couple of weeks. There’s no specific antiviral treatment recommended, so the focus is on relieving symptoms. Use cool compresses on your eyes or artificial tears (available over-the-counter) to soothe them. Avoid rubbing your eyes and make sure to wash your hands regularly to prevent spreading the infection to others or worsening it for yourself. If it turns out to be bacterial, symptoms might include more mucous or thick discharge, and in such cases, you might need antibiotic eye drops or ointments prescribed by a healthcare provider. The blurry vision you’re experiencing could be due to eye discharge or irritation, but if it persists or worsens, seek evaluation by an eye doctor to rule out other causes. Allergic conjunctivitis typically involves itching and occurs alongside other allergy symptoms, managed with antihistamine eye drops or oral medications. Before jumping to conclusions, try the non-prescription methods mentioned and monitor your symptoms. If they worsen or don’t improve, see a healthcare provider to pinpoint the cause and get personalized treatment advice. If there’s any sharp pain, vision changes, or very high sensitivity to light, get to an emergency department or an ophthalmologist as soon as possible since these can be red flags for more severe conditions.
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