Home Health: Eye Flu Cases Rise in Delhi – What is the Difference Between Viral and Bacterial Conjunctivitis?
The number of eye flu cases in Delhi-NCR is rapidly increasing, particularly in schools. State health departments have issued advisories to tackle the situation. Hospitals in Delhi, including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, are seeing a surge in cases of eye infection or acute conjunctivitis, with approximately 100 cases per day. Experts have labeled this as an epidemic, with the number of cases expected to peak in the next few days before subsiding.
Acute conjunctivitis is typically observed during the monsoon season, which coincides with the flu season. This type of conjunctivitis is primarily caused by highly contagious viruses, with adenovirus being the causative agent in most cases. Around 20-30% of cases also show positive bacterial culture, indicating a bacterial superinfection. Itching and grittiness are common symptoms experienced by patients.
There are different types of conjunctivitis, with viral and bacterial being the most common. Viral pink eye is caused by viruses like adenovirus and can last up to seven days. It can spread from the nose to the eyes. Bacterial pink eye is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumonia and can last up to ten days. Both viral and bacterial pink eye share similar symptoms, such as redness, tearing, itchy eyes, eye swelling, and irritation.
To differentiate between viral and bacterial conjunctivitis, Healthline provides the following symptoms:
– Viral Conjunctivitis: typically starts in one eye but can spread to the other eye. It often begins with a cold or respiratory infection and causes watery discharge from the eye.
– Bacterial Conjunctivitis: can start with a respiratory or ear infection and affects one or both eyes. It causes a thick discharge (pus) that makes the eyes stick together.
Preventing eye flu involves using lubricating drops for relief and applying cold compresses to reduce irritation and itching. People with active conjunctivitis should wear dark goggles to reduce sensitivity to light and minimize the risk of touching their eyes and spreading the infection.
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