How to deal with flu season’s surprising companion: Pink Eye

In addition to dealing with COVID, the flu, and various colds during the fall and winter seasons, we also have to watch out for pinkeye (literally). Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, manifests as a pink or red tinge in the eye, but symptoms include eye irritation, discharge and itching.

“If you have a viral infection, it can lead to eye-related symptoms, especially if you touch the eye or are near someone who has it and he or she coughs or sneezes,” says Dr. Jennifer Tsai, a practicing optometrist is. in New York City, for this article in November 2023. Pink eye can be caused by a virus spreading through your own mucous membranes that are currently under attack, or by exposure to someone with a respiratory infection.

Here are the different types of eye infections to look out for this cold and flu season, what to do for home care, and when to see a doctor.

What viruses can cause pink eye?

The best-known seasonal viruses (colds, flu and now COVID-19) can all cause viral pinkeye. For example, research from 2021 showed that no less one in ten people eye symptoms experienced with COVID-19. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says coronavirus conjunctivitis is common is more common in children than in adults.

Tsai says the most common cause of viral pink eye is an infection with the eye disease adenovirusa virus that causes mild cold or flu symptoms in most people and also spreads more widely during flu/respiratory virus season. Lesser known viral culprits of pink eye also include the herpes simplex virus, the virus that causes cold sores, Tsai said. This can spread as the cold sore virus touches the eye, otherwise it may occur again in outbreaks.

Viral versus bacterial symptoms of pink eye

To find the right relief for pink eye and determine if medical treatment is necessary, you must determine the cause of the condition: is it bacterial or viral?

Viral pink eye symptomsAccording to Tsai, they usually include an itchy feeling in the eyes, along with watery discharge. Other symptoms may include: redness or burning.

Viral pink eye will also likely be present in both eyes; it may start in one eye but quickly spreads to the other, she says.

Bacterial pink eye is caused by an infection or eye injury, Tsai says, including infection from contact lenses. If you have bacterial pink eye, you are more likely to experience a thick, yellowish, or sticky discharge from your eye, along with increased eye pain and blurred vision. (The AAO notes (that bacterial conjunctivitis doesn’t always cause discharge.) A big clue that you’re suffering from bacterial pink eye, according to Tsai, is that it’s in one eye, although both eyes can be infected.

Pink eye due to a viral infection can be treated at home in most cases (more on that below), and milder bacterial cases of pink eye usually go away as well, but it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible if you have eye pain. vision problems or other symptoms of a serious eye infection. Your treatment, and whether you can relieve pink eye at home, also depends on the type of eye infection you have.

Read more: Home remedies for dry and itchy eyes

How to Treat Pink Eye (and Prevent It From Spreading)

Most cases of viral pinkeye are “self-limiting,” Tsai said, meaning they are likely to go away on their own within two weeks. If you have a bacterial infection, you will likely be prescribed antibiotic eye drops to help kill the bacteria causing your symptoms.

Tsai said that regardless of the cause or severity of your pink eye, it’s a good idea to see an ophthalmologist just to be safe. If you have symptoms that affect or blur your vision, cause eye pain, light sensitivity, or the feeling that something is in your eye, be seen as soon as possible.

Because most cases of pink eye caused by a virus clear up at home, treatment for pink eye will be based on relieving your itchy or irritating symptoms. Here are some tips from Tsai:

• Apply a cold compress to the eye for comfort. Anything soft and cold will do, but there are some eye masks like this one made for cooling.
• Use artificial tears to soothe your eyes.
• Use allergy drops for itchy eyes. A third culprit of pink eye, besides viral or bacterial infections, is allergies. Antihistamines in allergy eye drops can help with this irritation.

In recognition of the eye drop recalls and safety concerns surrounding some brands of artificial tears, Tsai said he should continue to avoid drops that do not meet safety standards. She also advises people to avoid Visine and Clear Eye drops, as they contain ingredients that can constrict the blood vessels in the eyes. For eye drop recommendations based on specific needs, read this CNET list of eye drops.

To prevent the spread of pink eye, follow these tips from the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology:

• Don’t reuse towels after washing your face
• Try not to touch your eyes; wash your hands immediately if you do
• Do not use makeup if you have an eye infection
• Do not wear contact lenses while you have an infection