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Eye & Vision Disorders
Question #20874
45 days ago
78

when eye flu started - #20874

Riya

I am honestly a bit worried. A few weeks ago, I noticed my left eye kind of felt puffy, and there was a little redness. At first, I thought it was just allergies, but then my friend said that it looked like when eye flu started for her last year. I didn’t think much of it until I woke up one morning, and my eye was really watery and kinda itchy too. It's super bothersome, and I was freaking out because I remember hearing stories about how contagious it can be. Did it start like this for anyone else? Just small signs turning into something bigger? I have a couple of kids, and I'm scared they might catch it if this is when eye flu started affecting me. I did some saline rinses and even stayed away from my kids, but what do I even do next? Should I see a doc now or wait a few days to see if this gets better? I got some over-the-counter drops, but I’m not sure if those really help when eye flu started or if I need actual prescription stuff. Arrgh, it’s frustrating! Any thoughts or experiences would be really appreciated!

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Doctors' responses

It sounds like you might be experiencing symptoms of conjunctivitis, which is often referred to as “eye flu.” It’s not that unusual for it to start with mild symptoms like puffiness, redness, and watery, itchy eyes, just as you’ve described. This condition can indeed be quite contagious, particularly the viral or bacterial forms, so it’s good that you are already taking some precautions to prevent spreading it to your kids. Infections like these can easily pass from person to person, often through close contact or by touching contaminated surfaces and then your eyes. Given that you’ve noticed symptoms for a few weeks without significant improvement, I would advise seeing a healthcare provider. They can determine whether the infection is viral or bacterial and prescribe appropriate treatment if needed. Over-the-counter drops might provide some short-term relief, but if it’s viral or bacterial, specific antiviral or antibiotic prescription medication might be required depending on the cause. In the meantime, keep using saline rinses as they can help maintain cleanliness and reduce irritation. Ensure to wash your hands frequently and avoid sharing towels, bedding, or any personal items to minimize the risk of spreading it further. If at any point you notice worsening symptoms such as severe pain, vision changes, or increased redness and swelling, seek medical attention promptly as these could be more serious signs needing immediate care.

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