ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) advised the public to be vigilant against the spread of infectious conjunctivitis, commonly known as sore eyes.
Several municipalities already recently logged cases of sore eyes, IPHO said.
Sore eyes is an infection on the outer part of the eyes caused by virus or bacteria, according to
Dr. Rodney Labis, chief of the IPHO-Health Service Delivery Division.
Labis explained that bacteria is the most common cause of sore eyes among children and it is contagious.
Also, according to the United States Center for Disease Control, most viruses that cause conjunctivitis spread through hand-to-eye contact with hands or objects that are contaminated with the infectious virus.
“Ang kagaw usually nagalapta paagi sa pagtandog sang kamot sa mata matapos nga makatandog sa mga objects nga contaminated sang virus and bacteria,” Labis added.
He also said one can acquire sore eyes at any time but it frequently appears during the dry season.
Among its symptoms are teary eyes, redness of the eyes, purulent discharge lasting all day, eyelid edema, and discomfort or pain.
“Kon may access sa laboratory kag kon kinahanglan, nagakuha man sila sang specimen halin sa discharge sang imo mata para mabal-an kon ano ang kagaw ang naga-cause sang sore eyes,” Labis said when asked how sore eyes are diagnosed.
How to avoid sore eyes?
Labis said sore eyes can be prevented by practicing proper hygiene, especially frequent hand washing.
“Ugalion nga mag-practice sang good hand hygiene, maghugas or sanitize sang kamot pagkatapos maggamit sang CR (comfort room), before and after magkaon, kag pagkatapos nga magtandog sang higku,” he said.
It is also advised to minimize hand-to-eye contact; use own towels, eye drops, makeup and sunglasses; disinfect surfaces, doorknobs, counters, elevator buttons and handrails with diluted bleach solution; wash clothes, towels, pillow cases and anything else which may have come in contact with an infected person.
At home, when a family member has sore eyes, Labis said, bring him or her immediately to the rural health unit or any health facility to void further complications.
“Aton gina-discourage ang pag-self medicate. Kon indi insakto ang bulong basi imbes nga makabulig makatuga pa sang malain nga epekto sa imo,” he added./PN
