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Eye & Vision Disorders
Question #21069
181 days ago
271

prevention of eye flu

Ayush

I am kinda freaking out here. A few days ago, my best friend mentioned how she got sick with something called eye flu. Honestly, I never heard of it before, but she described all these symptoms like redness and tearing and it sounded super uncomfortable! Now, I’ve noticed my own eyes have been feeling a bit scratchy and there’s this weird sensitivity to light. Not sure if it’s just allergies, but the thought of eye flu has been bothering me. What’s really scary is that I have a big event coming up soon and I can’t imagine dealing with this. I mean, is there any good prevention of eye flu I can do to avoid catching it from her? Like, should I be super cautious about touching my face or sharing stuff? What about rubbing my eyes – because sometimes that’s hard to control! I’ve read some conflicting info about how eye flu spreads. Does good hygiene help with prevention of eye flu? Also, can wearing sunglasses help when out in public places? I guess I'm just worried that if prevention of eye flu isn’t taken seriously, it might get worse! Should I go see a doctor now, or wait it out? Any tips would be really, really appreciated since I can’t afford to be out of commission right now.

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Doctors' responses

Eye flu, more commonly known as viral conjunctivitis, is indeed frustrating, but don’t worry too much—there are practical steps you can take to minimize the risk of catching it from your friend. Viral conjunctivitis is often caused by adenovirus and spreads easily from person to person, primarily through direct contact with infectious tears or discharges from the eyes of an infected person. Good hygiene plays a crucial role here. To prevent infection, avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after touching anything that might be infected, like your friend’s belongings. Don’t share towels, pillows, or eye cosmetics such as mascara or eyeliner, as they can transfer the virus. Rubbing your eyes can be tough to control, but try to make a conscious effort to reduce contact, especially if your hands haven’t been cleaned. If you really need to touch your eyes, use a clean tissue or wash your hands thoroughly first. Sunglasses can provide some relief if light sensitivity is an issue, as they help to protect your eyes from harsh light and potential irritants while adding a barrier in public places. However, sunglasses won’t directly prevent the spread of the virus, but they might add a layer of comfort. Considering that you’ve noted symptoms like scratchy eyes and light sensitivity, which could be due to allergies or early-stage conjunctivitis, it wouldn’t hurt to consult a healthcare professional to determine the cause. A doctor can offer specific treatment options if it turns out to be conjunctivitis. However, if symptoms rapidly worsen or if pain, eye discharge, or vision changes occur, see a doctor promptly. Taking these precautions should help manage any chance of infection and keep you prepared for your upcoming event.

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