Over the past few weeks, health officials in Anguilla have been monitoring cases of conjunctivitis, known as Red Eye or Pink Eye, particularly among schoolchildren and, in other cases, adults as well.
In response, the Health Promotion Unit has been conducting information and awareness sessions – in the lobby area of the General Post Office – providing literature and advice to persons travelling in that vicinity.
Senior Health Educator, Mrs. Jennifer Gumbs, and her assistant, Ms. Aba Kamau, have been mainly responsible for conducting the information and awareness sessions. “We are doing this because we have seen quite a few cases of red eye or pink eye especially among our schoolchildren. As a result, we want to sensitise persons to realise that it is contagious and they need to practice proper hygiene in order to combat the problem,” Mrs. Gumbs explained.
“Conjunctivitis is caused by viruses or bacteria. We know that persons can have allergies and their eyes can become red, but we are focusing on the condition caused by viruses or bacteria because it is contagious.”
Mrs. Gumbs outlined the most common symptoms of the condition as being: redness in one or both eyes; itching, burning/irritation in one or both eyes; a gritty or sandy feeling in the eye; eye discharge that forms a crust during the night that may prevent the eye or eyes from opening in the morning; and swelling of the conjunctiva (the thin layer that lines the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid) and /or the eyelids.
Outbreaks of the highly contagious condition are spread through direct or indirect contact with the liquid that drains from the eye of someone who is infected. This includes close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands; through air, coughing or sneezing; and touching an object or surface with germs on it, then touching your eyes before washing your hands.
Persons contracting the condition are advised not to wear contact lenses until your eyes are better; don’t share pillows, washcloths, towels, eye drops , eye make-up, face make-up, makeup brushes, contact lenses, eyeglasses – and don’t rub your eyes.
The infection usually clears up in 7-14 days with antibiotic eye drops and other treatment provided by medical and health personnel.
