Be cautious, authorities warns as red eye disease spreads

MOMBASA, JAN 24 – Health officials in coastal region have called on residents to be cautious amidst the rapid spread of red eye disease that was recently reported.

This disease has seen a lot of people at the coast flocking to hospitals to seek medical care for eye infection. It is believed that this red eye or pink eye infection might have spread from the neighboring country Tanzania.

A few weeks ago Tanzania health authorities raised an alert over the outbreak of red eye disease in the country. Country’s health ministry reported that the disease which is also referred to as conjunctivitis had affected quite a huge number of people.

Causes of red eye disease

This disease is an eye condition caused by infectious or allergy. Usually is get better after several weeks without treatment. Professionals in medicine note that the most common causes are viruses, bacteria and allergens , foreign bodies in the eye like loose eyelashes and indoor and outdoor air pollution caused by smoke, dust, fumes to chemical vapors.

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US center for disease control and prevention (CDC) pinpoint that it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of conjunctivitis due to same similar symptoms displayed.

They further allude that viral conjunctivitis can be very contagious and sometimes result in large outbreaks depending on the virus. Bacterial conjunctivitis on the hand is more common in kids than adults. Allergic conjunctivitis is the result of body’s reaction to allergens, such as pollen from trees, plants, grasses, weeds, dust, cosmetics or medicines. However they are not contagious.

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UK’s national health service says the condition usually affects both eyes making them red, itchy and watery and could also produce pus that sticks to the lashes.

Treatment and remedies

Treatment at home directs that to treat conjunctivitis yourself, you should boil water and let it cool before gently wiping your eyelashes to clean off crusts with clean cotton wool pad. Thereafter you are supposed to hold a cold flannel on your eyes for a few minutes to cool down.

Washing hands regularly with warm soapy water is also recommended. Wash your pillow cases and face clothes in hot water and detergents. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing and put used tissues in the bin. It’s professionally advised that you should seek the help of a medical practitioner.