Attention Aggressive conjunctivitis spreads - so protect yourself from eye flu

Virus Disease: Aggressive "eye flu" in circulation

In the autumn months, there are frequently cases of disease of highly contagious conjunctivitis, which is popularly referred to as "eye flu". Experts explain how to protect against the virus disease.

Virus spreads well in the fall

Doctors in Austria reported in recent weeks on rising cases of a highly contagious eye infection. Since the viruses that lead to the infection spread in autumn especially in this country in the coming weeks and months with an increase in viral disease, which is popularly referred to as "eye flu" is to be expected. Experts explain how to avoid an infection.

In the autumn months, the "eye flu" diseases accumulate. Experts explain how to protect yourself from infection. (Image: Birgit Reitz-Hofmann / fotolia.com)

Itchy and red eyes

In the autumn months is expected to spread to the eye flu. Those affected suffer from reddened, watery and itchy eyes.

In addition, the eyes are also afraid of light. This aggressive form of conjunctivitis is triggered by a highly contagious adenovirus.

According to information from the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) are adenoviruses "a pathogen group that triggers a variety of diseases, including. the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract or conjunctiva and cornea. The viruses are highly contagious and resistant. "

Treacherous according to experts, the long incubation period of up to twelve days. In addition, the virus is environmentally resistant.

Regular hand washing

Most of the viruses are spread in the tear fluid over the hands to which pathogens adhere. To protect yourself from infection, certain measures should be taken:

The most important hygiene rule is hand washing. This is especially true if you have touched the eyes with your hands.

In addition, people living with patients should always use their own towels and other hygiene items such as washcloths.

Work or visits to community facilities such as schools or kindergartens are taboo during the inflammation. Patients should stay at home until the symptoms have resolved.

Inflammation usually stops by itself

If there is an infection, redness on one or both eyes initially appears, followed by swelling of the conjunctiva. Affected people have a foreign body sensation in mind.

The eye itches, tears and reacts sensitively to light. Frequently, eyelid swelling and enlargement of the lymph nodes in front of the ear develop.

In some cases, the inflammation may spread to the cornea of ​​the eye after about a week.

Although the conjunctivitis sounds usually after two to four weeks on its own again, but slight cloudiness of the cornea may possibly persist for some time.

As a rule, the infectious conjunctiva and corneal inflammation heals completely and without consequences.

Patients should consult an ophthalmologist

A causal treatment against the virus is not available. Only the complaints can be alleviated. Patients should consult an ophthalmologist.

Common home remedies for conjunctivitis, such as chamomile tea, are often discouraged in eye flu, or recommended to use this only after consultation with a doctor.

A treatment with antibiotics is not appropriate, as they remain ineffective in viruses.

The origin of the adenovirus is so far unclear. Researchers assume that it is not human, but animals.

A few years ago, US physicians have reported that adenoviruses have been proven to be transmitted from monkeys to humans for the first time.

At that time, experts recommended observing adenoviruses more carefully in the future in order to be aware of possible dangers to humans in good time. (Ad)