Looking After Our Elderly Parents

23 Aug 2000

There has been an increase in the number of outpatient attendances for conjunctivitis (red eyes) at government polyclinics over the past two weeks. About 800 patients per week were seen and treated for the condition as compared with the average weekly figure of about 300 cases.

Conjunctivitis is usually caused by a viral infection. The commonest complaint is a sudden onset of red itchy eyes. There may also be fever, headache, running nose, sorethroat, cough and muscle aches.

The disease is usually mild. It spreads easily from person to person, especially in the home and in crowded places. The public can prevent contracting the infection by avoiding direct contact and by not sharing common household articles, such as face and bath towels, handkerchief, pillows or bedding, with those who are having red eyes.

Affected persons are advised to seek medical treatment from their family doctors or polyclinic doctors. They should practise simple personal hygiene like handwashing and proper disposal of contaminated articles like tissue papers used to wipe discharges from the eyes.