KARACHI: The Sindh Health Department has issued a cautionary notice to District Health Officers (DHOs) as part of their ongoing endeavors to curb the transmission of conjunctivitis in Karachi and the neighboring metropolitan areas of the province. According to the department, there has been a surge in cases of conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as pink eye infection, in the city and its environs. This highly contagious viral infection has prompted authorities to implement preventive measures
How to prevent conjunctivitis/pink eye virus
Infected individuals are advised to use the recommended eye drops and clean eyes with tissues. It is said that applying cold water to the infected eyes provides some respite from the discomfort.
However, precautionary measures are crucial to stop the spread of the disease.
Doctors have advised the infected individuals to follow stringent cleanliness standards, including segregating their personal belongings like towels and toiletries.
Contrary to the popular belief, experts say the virus does not spread through simple eye contact but rather by direct contact with the infected person’s ocular secretions. A notable finding says that red eyes frequently co-occur with cold, flu and cough symptoms.
Doctors also provided important guidance on reducing the risk of transmission in homes and places of employment. People can significantly lower their risk of transmitting the virus by practicing good personal hygiene and avoiding using shared items. A crucial line of defense is proper hand washing before using eye drops, followed by cautious application.
