Almost all health discussions going on around the globe these days are centered around coronavirus, however, there is a kind of virus that causes viral pink eye, the Adenovirus.

Also read, Coronavirus and Pink Eye (Part 1)

The common symptoms of this virus when it infects an individual bears the same semblance as the flu or common cold.

They include the following:

• Pink eye
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Pneumonia
• Acute bronchitis
• Diarrhea and nausea

Recall that the symptoms of conjunctivitis include red eye, sandy feeling in the eye, and watery-like discharge.

The adenovirus is responsible for causing the common cold and a number of respiratory conditions.

Adenovirus can also be the cause of mild conjunctivitis and this type of conjunctivitis have the tendency to occur in groups. It is extremely infectious and troubling.

According to Stephanie Marioneaux, MD, clinical spokeswoman for the AAO, “Adenoviruses can live on surfaces for a long time. They can last on a doorknob for 30 days and still be just as infectious as on day one,”

There are other strains of viruses that can lead to conjunctivitis as well.

Other strains of flu may also be a cause of conjunctivitis, nevertheless, they are not as frequently as the adenovirus.

How can you prevent viral conjunctivitis in your eyes?

Handwashing the correct way

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended review of handwashing;

Wet your hands with water and apply enough liquid soap, rub palms together, rub the back of hands, interlink your fingers, cup your fingers, clean the thumbs and rub palm with your fingers… After all, dry the hand with a towel.

Avoid touching your face

Hold back any reason for you to rub your eyes, or any part of your face, even when it is itching.

It doesn’t matter if you have the symptoms or not.

Avoid touching your face, especially your eye, unless you have a very clean tissue.

Don’t share personal items

Avoid sharing items such as eye drops, contact cases, face makeup and any other objects used on the face. Pink eye is highly contagious and it can get spread from eye to eye.

Drop your contact, use glasses

For this period of the pandemic, it is advisable to take a switch to glasses at least on a temporary basis.

You should avoid touching your contact lens with your eye, in times like this.

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