Thanks to the sudden change in temperature, doctors are seeing a rise in viral infections in the city, such as conjunctivitis and upper respiratory problems.
Thanks to the sudden change in temperature, doctors are seeing a rise in viral infections in the city, such as conjunctivitis and upper respiratory problems.
Hospitals see rise in conjunctivitis cases
Over the past one week, hospitals have recorded a sharp rise in patients suffering from acute conjunctivitis. Dr Mandar Kubal, an expert on infectious diseases who practises in Chembur, said, "In the last one week, we have seen a spurt of people coming with eye infection clustered with upper respiratory tract infection. "
Infection usually spreads from sinus to eyes
Doctors say lumping of the two infections is getting common. "Eyes are close to the nasal cavity/sinus area. During a seasonal change, when viruses are very active, the infection from nasal cavity/sinus tends to spread to eyes," said Dr Nagendra Shah, consultant eye specialist at Bombay Hospital.
Symptoms of the disease
The symptoms of the disease are blurred vision, crusts that form on eyelids overnight, eye pain, grit in eyes, increased tearing, itching and redness.
Recovery time up to one month
Dr Shah said that this season, such patients are taking longer to recover. "A person can take anywhere between a week and a month to recover. This may be because of mutation of the virus. All that people can do is be careful and embrace hygiene to prevent contracting the disease," said Dr Shah.
Patients shouldn't play doctor
Doctors also warned against self-medication for conjuctivitis. Dr Harshvardhan Ghorpade, consultant ophthalmologist, Fortis hospital, said, "It is best to treat viral conjunctivitis at the outset and consult a doctor instead of self-treatment. The delay in proper treatment is worsening these virulent forms of conjunctivitis."
Follow preventive measures
Doctors suggest preventive measures to contain the infection. Dr Shah said that eyes should not be rubbed with unclean hands, and people who use swimming pools should take special care. Patients should also avoid going to public gatherings and sharing towels, or even phones or computers at work places.
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