ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) reported a total of 168 cases of conjunctivitis, commonly known as sore eyes, in June.
Those affected were mostly children from one to 10 years old, with 73 cases.
The cases included 40 in Jaro district, 37 in the City Proper, 26 in Arevalo, 22 in Molo, 19 in Mandurriao, 18 La Paz, and six in Lapuz.
“The infection usually lasts from seven to 14 days, and it is most contagious on its seventh day. If there is medical intervention, it shortens to around three to five days. The best preventive measures are frequent hand washing and to educate people, especially children, to sanitize hands, avoid touching or rubbing eyes, and refrain from using foreign bodies in the eyes like contact lenses that could be home for bacteria,” CHO medical officer Dr. Kenneth Capero said.
He added: “Symptoms improve in two to five days without treatment. If it persists, do not self-medicate and consult our friendly doctors in district health centers, as city health has procured medicines to be given for free in anticipation of the increased cases.”
Sore eyes is a common infection causing inflammation or redness of tissues lining the eyelid with symptoms including increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision, gritty feeling, itchiness, swelling, redness, and burning in the eyes.
It can either be caused by adenoviruses or a group of viruses that can cause infections or bacteria caused by Staphylococcus aureus that can cause skin and soft tissue infections.
Majority of reported cases in the city are viral due to the presence of adenoviruses, which spread quickly, particularly in populated areas.
The mode of transmission is through eye contact with hands or objects contaminated with infectious tears, eye discharges, fecal matter, or respiratory discharges that can contaminate the hands.
CHO continues to urge residents to follow health protocols to avoid contracting sore eyes and curb the rising cases in the city. (Iloilo City PIO)/PN
