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Conjunctivitis
Should people with conjunctivitis avoid certain foods?
Patients with conjunctivitis should avoid spicy foods, such as onions, leeks, garlic, chili peppers, lamb, dog meat, and other heat-inducing comfort foods, which are not conducive to the early recovery of the disease. Additionally, they should consume less shrimp, crab, and other seafood that may exacerbate the condition. Smoking is also prohibited due to the presence of nicotine in cigarettes, which constricts blood vessels and can worsen red eye, thus smoking must be strictly avoided. Furthermore, alcohol consumption should be avoided as it can prolong the disease.
Is conjunctivitis contagious?
Hyperacute bacterial conjunctivitis has a short incubation period and progresses rapidly. It can be transmitted through genital-eye contact. Acute or subacute bacterial conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is highly contagious, prevalent in the spring and autumn, and is generally spread through contact with items used by an infected person. Therefore, it is essential to take preventive measures.
Acute conjunctivitis is commonly known as pink eye.
Acute conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye or "fire eye," is more prevalent in spring and summer. It is a seasonal contagious disease, mainly transmitted through contact. Transmission often occurs by touching the secretions from the eyes of an infected person, shaking hands with someone who has pink eye, or by rubbing the eyes with dirty hands. Acute conjunctivitis is highly contagious, and the symptoms of eye irritation are quite severe, including sensations of stinging, burning, foreign body sensation, as well as photophobia, tearing, and purulent discharge. It is essential to seek medical attention promptly and to emphasize isolation and disinfection.
Precautions for Conjunctivitis
For conjunctivitis, strict attention must be paid to personal and public hygiene. Second, patients in the acute phase need to be isolated to avoid contagion and prevent an epidemic. Third, strict disinfection is required for face-washing items, towels, and medical instruments that have been used by the patient. Fourth, medical staff must wash and disinfect their hands after contact with patients to prevent cross-infection. Fifth, newborns should routinely be given antibiotic eye drops immediately after birth.
How is conjunctivitis transmitted?
Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye diseases. The causes of conjunctivitis can be divided into microbial and non-microbial categories, and based on different sources, it can be classified as exogenous or endogenous. It can also be caused by the spread of inflammation from adjacent tissues, with microbial infection being the most common. Transmission primarily occurs through contact, hence it is necessary to strictly disinfect washbasins, towels, and other items that the patient has used.
Acute conjunctivitis etiology
Acute conjunctivitis, also known as acute catarrhal conjunctivitis and commonly referred to as pink eye, is highly contagious. It is most often seen in the spring and autumn seasons. The infection can occur sporadically or can spread in community settings such as schools and factories. The onset of the disease is sudden, with an incubation period of one to three days. Both eyes may be affected simultaneously or one to two days apart. The inflammation is most severe three to four days after onset and then gradually lessens, with the course of the disease generally lasting less than three weeks. The most common pathogens are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Haemophilus influenzae. The pathogens can vary with the seasons; studies indicate that infections in the winter are mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, while Haemophilus influenzae conjunctivitis is more common in the spring and summer.
Can acute conjunctivitis cause facial swelling?
Acute conjunctivitis can possibly cause swelling of the eyelids and the face. Acute conjunctivitis is a common ophthalmic disease, usually caused by neglecting eye hygiene. For example, rubbing your eyes with dirty hands, washing your face with unclean water, and wiping your eyes with contaminated towels, tissues, or wet wipes can transfer viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens from the environment into the eyes, thereby causing infection and conjunctivitis. Inflammatory stimulation can cause reactive swelling of the skin adjacent to the eye. Conjunctivitis needs timely treatment with anti-infective eye drops to eliminate symptoms. For instance, bacterial infections can be treated with eye drops such as Levofloxacin Hydrochloride and Fusidic Acid, while viral infections can be treated with Ganciclovir and Acyclovir eye drops. (Please follow medical advice when using medications.)
What to do if conjunctivitis is accompanied by a fever?
Conjunctivitis, also referred to as acute or subacute conjunctivitis, commonly known as "pink eye," is caused by bacterial or viral infections, which can also lead to fever. It is a relatively common disease. It is important to rest, drink plenty of water, avoid staying up late, and consume a light diet with less oily food. Individual usage of washbasins and towels is recommended to prevent contagion. Treatment involves the use of anti-inflammatory and antiviral eye drops under medical supervision, typically resulting in recovery within about a week.
Conjunctivitis and Keratitis Differences
Under normal circumstances, bacteria can reside in the conjunctival sac. Infection can occur when the pathogenicity of infecting bacteria is stronger than the host's defense capabilities, or when the host's defense capabilities are compromised. Patients with varying degrees of conjunctival hyperemia and purulent, mucoid, or mucopurulent secretions in the conjunctival sac should be suspected of bacterial conjunctivitis. Keratitis refers to the condition where the cornea's defense capabilities are reduced, and inflammation of the corneal tissue occurs due to external or endogenous pathogenic factors invading the cornea.
Can conjunctivitis heal on its own?
Conjunctivitis can be classified as hyperacute, acute or subacute, and chronic, based on the speed of onset. Based on the severity of the condition, it can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Acute conjunctivitis is usually self-limiting, with a duration of about two weeks. After treatment with sensitive antibiotics, recovery can occur within a few days. Chronic conjunctivitis is not self-limiting and is more challenging to treat.