Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Conjunctivitis cases on the rise

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram: A large number of conjunctivitis cases are being reported from all parts of the city since the past one-month and there seems to be no let up in the outbreak, ophthalmologists said.

While the infection is a common condition and usually disappears within a week with proper treatment, it is highly contagious, often affecting entire families. Out-patient clinics in most hospitals and the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO) have been seeing a large number of cases of conjunctivitis on a daily basis.

Children are usually the first to seek infected in most families and usually the other members too end up getting infected.

The infection could be caused by bacteria or virus and subsides with antibiotics or anti-viral treatment.

"The infection spreads from direct contact with an infected person or from something that the infected person might have touched. Anyone who has the symptoms — pain, discomfort or itchiness in the eye, redness or discharge from eyes — should avoid going to public places or workplaces," said P.S. Girija Devi, Associate Professor, RIO.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Police to set up helpline for women: Commissioner
Tribute with a difference — a red salute to the `Red Bishop'
Documentary on Mullaperiyar released
RTI Act: directive issued to heads of departments
A comprehensive book on HIV/AIDS
Conjunctivitis cases on the rise
Man falls to death
Man sentenced to life
Around the City
In Thiruvananthapuram Today

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu