In a major concerning news for Mumbaikars, a surge in the conjunctivitis cases witnessed over the last 15 days in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Saturday, October 15.
Therefore, doctors have advised people to take precautions as well as timely visits to the hospital or clinic in case they experience pain or discomfort in their eyes.
According to a BMC statement, 250-300 conjunctivitis patients have been treated in the civic-run Murli Deora Eye Hospital in the last two weeks.
It has also come to light that most government and private hospitals are witnessing 15-20 cases daily – far higher than the average footfall. Doctors have attributed this spike to the change in weather which provides a suitable environment for the microbes to thrive.
Symptoms:
Experts stated that when the humidity in the air increases during the rainy season, the environment becomes a breeding ground for infectious diseases. Conjunctivitis, along with other ailments, spread during this time. The eye gets watery and swollen and there is the discharge of sticky fluid as well. Eyes get itchy and heavy and there is intolerance to strong light.
How to avoid the spread of disease?
The BMC statement said those afflicted with the ailment must avoid touching their eyes frequently, wash them with water repeatedly, and stay from others during the infection period.
Maintaining distance is suggested as the infection spreads via secretion and not by seeing each other.
Wear sunglasses to avoid glare and decrease accidental eye contact with your fingers.
While it gets cleared in five to six days, people must avoid home remedies and visit eye specialists, the civic body said, adding that conjunctivitis medicines were freely available at its hospitals.
Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes. Put the drops and wash your hands with soap immediately, if you have been detected with conjunctivitis. So take utmost care of the eyes, doctors exclaimed.
Share
Tweet
