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Flu season brings another threat (and perhaps not the expected one): conjunctivitis. This is because the viruses that cause the flu, the common cold, and even COVID-19 can manifest in the eyes. In addition to giving your eyes a pink or reddish tone, conjunctivitis (the technical term for conjunctivitis) can cause other symptoms, such as irritation, itching, and discharge.
“When you have a viral infection, that can cause eye-related symptoms, especially if you touch your eye or are around someone who has it and is coughing or sneezing,” said Dr. Jennifer Tsai, an optometrist who practices in New York. . Pink eye can be the result of a virus spreading from your own mucous membranes that are currently under attack, or from exposure to someone with a respiratory infection.
Here are the types of eye infections to watch out for this flu season, what to do to relieve them at home, and when to see a doctor.
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When caused by a virus, conjunctivitis usually resolves on its own within a couple of weeks. If you have a bacterial infection, you may be prescribed antibiotic eye drops.
What viruses can cause conjunctivitis?
The most familiar seasonal viruses (the common cold, flu, and now COVID-19) can cause viral conjunctivitis. Some research from 2021, for example, found that even one in 10 people with COVID-19 experienced eye symptoms, although the American Academy of Ophthalmology says coronavirus conjunctivitis is much more common in children than in adults.
Tsai says the most common cause of viral conjunctivitis is infection with adenovirus, a virus that causes mild cold or flu symptoms in most people, which also spreads more widely during flu/respiratory virus season. Lesser-known viral culprits of conjunctivitis also include the herpes simplex virus, the virus that causes cold sores, Tsai said. This can spread if cold sore virus touches the eye or may reappear in outbreaks.
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Symptoms of viral versus bacterial conjunctivitis
To find the right relief for conjunctivitis and know if you will need medical treatment, you must find the root cause of your conjunctivitis: is it bacterial or viral?
Viral symptoms of conjunctivitisAccording to Tsai, they commonly include an itchy sensation in the eye, along with watery discharge. Other symptoms may include redness or burning.
Viral conjunctivitis is also likely present in both eyes; It may start in one eye but will quickly spread to the other, he says.
Bacterial conjunctivitis It is caused by an infection or injury to the eye, Tsai says, including contact lens infection. If you have bacterial conjunctivitis, you are more likely to experience thick, yellowish, or sticky discharge from your eye along with more eye pain and blurred vision. (The AAO grades that bacterial conjunctivitis does not always cause discharge). A big clue that you’re suffering from bacterial conjunctivitis, according to Tsai, is that it’s in one eye, although both eyes can be infected.
While conjunctivitis caused by a viral infection can be managed at home in most cases (more on this below), and milder cases of bacterial conjunctivitis also usually clear up, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible if He has pain in his eyes. vision problems or other symptoms of a serious eye infection. Your treatment, or whether you can relieve conjunctivitis at home, will also depend on the type of eye infection you have.
It’s a good idea to avoid eye makeup and contact lenses while you have conjunctivitis.
Read more: Home Remedies for Dry, Itchy Eyes
How to treat (and prevent the spread) of conjunctivitis
Most cases of viral conjunctivitis are “self-limiting,” Tsai said, meaning they will likely resolve on their own within two weeks. But if he has a bacterial infection, he will likely be prescribed antibiotic eye drops to help kill the bacteria causing his symptoms.
Tsai said that no matter the cause or severity of conjunctivitis, it’s a good idea to consult an ophthalmologist just in case. If you have symptoms that affect or blur your vision, cause eye pain, sensitivity to light, or a feeling that something is stuck in your eye, be seen as soon as possible.
Because most cases of conjunctivitis caused by a virus resolve at home, management of conjunctivitis will rely on relieving symptoms of itching or irritation. Here are some tips from Tsai:
- For added comfort, apply a cold compress to your eye. Anything soft and cold will do, but there are also eye masks like these made to cool.
- Wear artificial tears to calm your eyes.
- Use anti-allergy drops for itchy eyes. A third culprit of conjunctivitis, in addition to viral or bacterial infection, is allergies. Antihistamines found in allergy eye drops can help with this irritation.
In recognition of the Eye Drop Recalls and Safety Concerns Regarding some brands of artificial tears, Tsai said that drops that do not meet safety standards should continue to be avoided. He also advises people to avoid Visine and Clear Eyes drops, because they contain ingredients that can constrict blood vessels in the eyes. For eye drop recommendations based on specific needs, you can read this CNET eye drops list.
To prevent the spread of pink eye, follow these tips from the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology:
- Do not reuse towels after washing your face.
- Try not to touch your eyes; wash your hands immediately if you do
- Don’t wear makeup while you have an eye infection.
- Do not wear contact lenses while you have an infection.
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