Conjunctivitis - Causes, Risk factors, Complications, Prevention & Treatment

Conjunctivitis (also known as "pink eye") is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin, clear tissue that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. It can be caused by various factors, including viral or bacterial infections, allergies, and irritants. Here's an overview of its symptoms, risk factors, complications, and prevention:

Symptoms:

Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid.
Watery or mucous-like discharge from the eye(s).
Itchiness or a gritty sensation in the eyes.
Swelling of the conjunctiva or eyelids.
Sensitivity to light.
Crusting of the eyelids or lashes, especially in the morning.

Risk factors:

Viral or bacterial infections: Exposure to infected individuals or contaminated surfaces can increase the risk.
Allergies: People with allergic conditions, like hay fever, are more prone to allergic conjunctivitis.
Irritants: Contact with irritants such as smoke, dust, or chemicals can trigger non-infectious conjunctivitis.
Contact lenses: Improper use or poor hygiene of contact lenses can lead to conjunctivitis.
Crowded or close-contact settings: Conjunctivitis can spread easily in places like schools, daycare centers, and workplaces.

Complications:

Corneal inflammation (keratitis): If not treated promptly, conjunctivitis can lead to a more severe corneal infection, which may affect vision.
Spread of infection: Bacterial or viral conjunctivitis can be contagious and may spread to other people if proper precautions are not taken.
Chronic conjunctivitis: In some cases, conjunctivitis can become chronic, leading to long-term discomfort and recurrent episodes.

Prevention:

Hand hygiene: Regularly washing hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizer can help prevent the spread of infectious conjunctivitis.
Avoid touching your eyes: This can reduce the risk of transferring bacteria or viruses from your hands to your eyes.
Avoid sharing personal items: Don't share towels, pillowcases, eye drops, or other personal items that may come into contact with your eyes.
Contact lens care: If you wear contact lenses, follow proper hygiene and lens care practices. Replace lenses as recommended by your eye care professional.
Avoid irritants and allergens: Try to minimize exposure to smoke, dust, and other potential irritants or allergens if you are prone to conjunctivitis due to these triggers.
Isolate contagious cases: If you or someone around you has infectious conjunctivitis, take precautions to prevent its spread, such as avoiding close contact, not sharing items, and practicing good hygiene.

Note: If you suspect you have conjunctivitis or experience severe eye symptoms, it's essential to consult an eye care professional for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Treatment may vary depending on the underlying cause of conjunctivitis (viral, bacterial, allergic, or irritant-induced).

Treatment:
The treatment for conjunctivitis (pink eye) can vary depending on the underlying cause of the condition, whether it is viral, bacterial, allergic, or irritant-induced. Generally, treatment options may include:

Viral Conjunctivitis:
Viral conjunctivitis is often self-limiting and tends to clear up on its own within a few days to two weeks. Treatment may involve supportive measures, such as using artificial tears to relieve symptoms, applying a cold compress to reduce inflammation, and practicing good hygiene to prevent spreading the infection to others. In some cases, antiviral eye drops may be prescribed for severe or persistent viral conjunctivitis.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis:
Bacterial conjunctivitis is typically treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointments to eliminate the bacterial infection. It is essential to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if symptoms improve, to prevent recurrence and antibiotic resistance.

Allergic Conjunctivitis:
Allergic conjunctivitis can be managed by avoiding allergens whenever possible. Over-the-counter or prescription antihistamine eye drops or oral medications may be recommended to alleviate symptoms. Cold compresses and artificial tears can help soothe irritated eyes.

Irritant-induced Conjunctivitis:
If conjunctivitis is caused by exposure to irritants like smoke, chemicals, or other substances, avoiding the irritant is essential. Symptomatic relief may be provided with artificial tears and cold compresses. It's important to note that self-diagnosis and self-medication can be risky, especially when it comes to eye conditions. If you suspect you have conjunctivitis or experience any eye-related symptoms, it is crucial to seek professional medical advice and evaluation from an eye care specialist or at ADS Hospital or any healthcare provider. ADS Hospital will be able to provide a proper diagnosis and tailor the treatment plan based on the specific type and severity of conjunctivitis you may have.

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Best Hospital in Howrah - ADS Hospital

best hospital in howrah

ADS Hospital is a state-of-the-art multi-specialty hospital located in Howrah, West Bengal. It was established in 2022 with the mission of providing high-quality, patient-centered care to the people of Howrah and the surrounding areas. Modern medical care requires cutting-edge facilities, and ADS Hospital spares no expense in providing the best infrastructure for its patients. The hospital is equipped with advanced medical technology, including diagnostic equipment, surgical tools, and monitoring devices, ensuring precise and efficient healthcare delivery. This focus on technology not only enhances the accuracy of treatments but also speeds up recovery times.
One of the reasons why ADS Hospital has become the best hospital in Howrah is its commitment to providing a wide range of medical services under one roof. Whether it's routine check-ups, complex surgeries, or emergency care, patients can count on ADS Hospital to cater to their diverse healthcare needs. This comprehensive approach not only offers convenience to patients but also fosters a continuity of care throughout their medical journey.

ADS Hospital has a team of experienced and dedicated doctors and nurses who are committed to providing the best possible care to their patients. The hospital has a wide range of departments and facilities, including:

Surgical Specialities
  • Dental Surgery
  • ENT
  • Gastrointestinal Surgery
  • General Surgery
  • Invasive Cardiology
  • Laparoscopic Surgery
  • Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Neurosurgery
  • Onco Surgery
  • Orthopaedics & Trauma Care
  • Orthopaedics (Spine & Joint
  • Replacement Surgery)
  • Paediatric Surgery
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Uro Surgery
Diagnostic Services
  • CT Scan
  • Colonoscopy
  • Digital X-Ray
  • Echocardiography
  • Endoscopy
  • Holter Monitoring
  • Pathology
  • PFT
  • TMT
  • Ultrasonography
Medical Specialities
  • Chest Medicine
  • Clinical Cardiology
  • Critical Care
  • Dermatology
  • Dietetics
  • Endocrinology & Diabetology
  • Gastroenterology
  • General Medicine
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Oncology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Psychiatry
  • Pulmonology
  • Rheumatology
Special Services
  • Dialysis 
  • Health Check-up Packages
  • ITU, NICU, PICU
  • Mortuary
  • Physiotherapy
  • Emergency & Trauma
Speciality Clinics
  • Child Psychology CIinic
  • Diabetic Clinic
  • Fever Clinic
  • Dental Clinic
  • Immunization and
  • Vaccination Clinic
Women & Child Care
  • Gynaecology & Obstetrics
  • Paediatrics & Neonatology

ADS Hospital also has a well-equipped emergency room that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, the hospital has a dedicated unit for critical care patients.
ADS Hospital is committed to providing affordable healthcare to all patients. The hospital has a variety of payment options available, including cash, credit cards, and debit cards.
Here are some of the reasons why ADS Hospital is considered to be the best hospital in Howrah:

Experienced and dedicated doctors and nurses: ADS Hospital has a team of experienced and dedicated doctors and nurses who are committed to providing the best possible care to their patients.
Wide range of departments and facilities: ADS Hospital has a wide range of departments and facilities, which allows them to provide comprehensive care to their patients.
Well-equipped emergency room: ADS Hospital has a well-equipped emergency room that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This ensures that patients can receive immediate care in case of an emergency.
Dedicated unit for critical care patients: ADS Hospital has a dedicated unit for critical care patients. This unit is staffed by experienced doctors and nurses who are trained to provide specialized care to critically ill patients.
Affordable healthcare: ADS Hospital is committed to providing affordable healthcare to all patients. The hospital has a variety of payment options available, which makes it easy for patients to afford the care they need.
In-House Pharmacy: Having a well-stocked pharmacy within the hospital premises is a tremendous advantage for patients. ADS Hospital's in-house pharmacy ensures that prescribed medications are readily available, saving patients the hassle of searching for medicines outside. Additionally, the pharmacy maintains strict quality control measures, guaranteeing the authenticity and effectiveness of the medications provided.
Conclusion:
ADS Hospital's commitment to excellence, state-of-the-art facilities, compassionate care, and community welfare initiatives have rightfully earned it the title of the best hospital in Howrah. It serves as a role model for other healthcare institutions, setting a high standard for quality medical care and patient satisfaction. Whether you need routine medical check-ups or specialized treatment, ADS Hospital will deliver top-notch healthcare services in Howrah and Kolkata. Your health is in safe hands at ADS Hospital!





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SARS-CoV-2 virus or COVID 19, everything you need to know

We know that the disease is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which spreads between people in several different ways.

Current evidence suggests that the virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with each other, for example at a conversational distance. The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. Another person can then contract the virus when infectious particles that pass through the air are inhaled at short range (this is often called short-range aerosol or short-range airborne transmission) or if infectious particles come into direct contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth (droplet transmission).

The virus can also spread in poorly ventilated and/or crowded indoor settings, where people tend to spend longer periods of time. This is because aerosols can remain suspended in the air or travel farther than conversational distance (this is often called long-range aerosol or long-range airborne transmission).

People may also become infected when touching their eyes, nose or mouth after touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by the virus. 

Further research is ongoing to better understand the spread of the virus and which settings are most risky and why. Research is also under way to study virus variants that are emerging and why some are more transmissible.

When do infected people transmit the virus?

Whether or not they have symptoms, infected people can be contagious and the virus can spread from them to other people.

Laboratory data suggests that infected people appear to be most infectious just before they develop symptoms (namely 2 days before they develop symptoms) and early in their illness. People who develop severe disease can be infectious for longer.

While someone who never develops symptoms can pass the virus to others, it is still not clear how frequently this occurs and more research is needed in this area.

What is the difference between people who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic? Don’t they both mean someone without symptoms?

Both terms refer to people who do not have symptoms. The difference is that ‘asymptomatic’ refers to people who are infected but never develop any symptoms, while ‘pre-symptomatic’ refers to infected people who have not yet developed symptoms but go on to develop symptoms later. 

Are there certain settings where COVID-19 can spread more easily?

Yes, any situation in which people are in close proximity to one another for long periods of time increases the risk of transmission. Indoor locations, especially settings where there is poor ventilation, are riskier than outdoor locations. Activities where more particles are expelled from the mouth, such as singing or breathing heavily during exercise, also increase the risk of transmission.

The “Three C’s” are a useful way to think about this. They describe settings where transmission of the COVID-19 virus spreads more easily:

  • Crowded places;
  • Close-contact settings, especially where people have conversations very near each other;
  • Confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.  

The risk of COVID-19 spreading is especially high in places where these “3Cs” overlap.

In health facilities where people are receiving treatment for COVID-19, there is an increased risk of infection during medical procedures called aerosol generating procedures. These can produce very small droplets that can stay suspended in the air for longer periods of time and spread beyond conversational distances (typically 1 meter). This is why health workers performing these procedures or in settings where these procedures are performed should take specific airborne protection measures, including using appropriate personal protective equipment such as respirators. This is also why visitors are not permitted in areas where these procedures are being performed.

How can I reduce my risk of getting COVID-19?

There are many things you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from COVID-19. Know your risks to lower risks. Follow these basic precautions:

Follow local guidance: Check to see what national, regional and local authorities are advising so you have the most relevant information for where you are.

Keep your distance: Stay at least 1 metre away from others, even if they don’t appear to be sick, since people can have the virus without having symptoms.

Wear a mask:  Wear a well-fitting three-layer mask, especially when you can’t physically distance, or if you’re indoors. Clean your hands before putting on and taking off a mask.

Read our Masks and COVID-19 Q&A and watch our videos on how to wear and make masks.

Avoid crowded places, poorly ventilated, indoor locations and avoid prolonged contact with others. Spend more time outdoors than indoors.

Ventilation is important: Open windows when indoors to increase the amount of outdoor air.

Avoid touching surfaces, especially in public settings or health facilities, in case people infected with COVID-19 have touched them. Clean surfaces regularly with standard disinfectants.

Frequently clean your hands with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub. If you can, carry alcohol-based rub with you and use it often.

Cover your coughs and sneezes with a bent elbow or tissue, throwing used tissues into a closed bin right away. Then wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Get vaccinated: When it’s your turn, get vaccinated. Follow local guidance and recommendations about vaccination.


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