EYE FLU OR CONJUNCTIVITIS.

Eye flu or Conjunctivitis is very common during the monsoons. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the white part (conjunctiva) of the eyes. Due to inflammation, the blood vessels in the conjunctiva become enlarged, thus giving a red or pink appearance to the eyes.

It is a painful condition, sometimes conjugated with the rise in temperature.

There are 3 types of conjunctivitis –

1) Viral –  Caused by the same virus that is responsible for common cold. It is highly contagious and spreads from person to person. The virus is air born.

2) Bacterial – Caused by various types of bacteria. This is also contagious but more easily treated with the help of eye drops and care.

3) Allergic –  This is a non–contagious type, as the allergens are unique to each individual. People who have allergic conjunctivitis are generally sensitive to pollen, grass, hay, dust and mites.

The most occurring type during monsoon is Bacterial and Viral conjunctivitis.

Symptoms and signs –

  • Burning and irritation on eyes.
  • Stinging of eyes.
  • Excessive lacrimation or dryness.
  • Sensitivity to light.
  • Redness of conjunctiva.
  • In later stage, there may be pus-like discharge from eyes.
  • High temperature may be found due to inflammation.
  • Symptoms of a common cold may be found.

Myths and facts about conjunctivitis –

The biggest myth is that conjunctivitis can be caused by looking into an infected person’s eyes. People, no disease spreads by mere looking. It is just a normal person suffering from eye flu, not Medusa who will turn you into stone. Conjunctivitis is air and contact borne disease.

You can contract infection if you are in a swimming pool that is not clean or someone who is already infected with eye flu is also using the same pool. It is a good idea to avoid public pools during monsoons.

You will not be infected if you go to a crowded market.

Prevention-

  • Do not wear contact lenses if you are suffering from eye flu.
  • Avoid shaking hands, or sharing edibles or drinking cups with an infected person. Towels and handkerchiefs must not be shared either.
  • It is best if the person suffering from eye flu is kept in quarantine , the infection recedes in 3 days to 1 week.
  • If you have visited the market, handled currency notes, or shaken hands with an infected person, wash your hands vigorously for 20 seconds with soap before you touch your face and eyes and before you use your hands to touch your food.
  • Wash eyes with cool water 3-4 times a day during the conjunctivitis season.

Homoeopathic prevention 

Take a clean phial with a dropper, fill it with Rose-water (or distilled water) , add 1 drop of Euphrasia Q and 1 drop of Camphora Q . (1 drop each for 10 ml of rose water or distilled water) Shake the bottle. Use this as an eye drop. Make sure to have separate bottles for each family member. This eye drop can also be used if a person already has eye flu.

Homoeopathic medicines for eye flu – 

  • Belladonna – The first and foremost remedy for inflammation. It is mostly indicated when there is a complete loss of lachrymation along with other symptoms. A rise in temperature is also seen.
  • Euphrasia – When eyelids appear as if injected or ulcerated and there is excoriating discharge from the eyes. There is extreme photophobia. The patient cannot even bear the little artificial light.
  • Graphites – Intense burning and lachrymation . There may be cracking and bleeding of the eyelids. Ulceration may be found.

Home management –

  • Keeping clean and hygienic prevents secondary infection and helps the present infection to go cure soon.
  • Washing eyes with cool water, or applying ice packs at regular intervals. If the patient is uncomfortable with a cold application, steam fomentation may be helpful.
  • Avoid going out of home to prevent further infection.
  • Fight the urge to rub eyes, if there is irritation , use the eye drop mentioned above.
  • Increase the amount of Vitamin C in your diet.

Yoga for eye flu –

Do at least 10 ujjai breaths, followed by 5 – 10 minutes of naadi shodhan. This process clears the energy channels and boosts vitality which helps you to fight infection more strongly.

Bhrastrika pranayam also helps in getting rid of infection soon.

*Warning- Self-medication , though sounds easy, may or may not work, because believe it or not, Homoeopaths go through 5.5 years of thorough study and training and only then they are eligible to prescribe medicines. One cannot hope to master that art by merely reading a few blogs or books. SO..in all fairness, the medicines here are tried and tested, but it would not be right to say that this blog is a substitute for a clinic visit. This knowledge may although, help you to rule out different possibilities.