30/10/2023
APOLLO is in the air now.
Have you noticed?
The signs are usually pink/red eye, and tearing/eye discharge, amongst other things.
The symptoms are eye pain, light sensitivity, soreness, itching, fever, blurred vision and so on.
If you’re not yet experiencing any of the above, perhaps someone around you is.
Here are some facts about Apollo that you probably didn’t know.
The medical name for Apollo is Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis (AHC).
Big name, isn’t it?
So how did we all start identifying this disease as Apollo?
The outbreak of this disease was first noticed in Ghana when the United States launched the Apollo XI spacecraft to the moon. It was thought that the dust kicked up by this mission was responsible for the infection.
In fact, the Nigerian government blamed the space mission for the epidemic and actually sought compensation from the US for the damages the disease caused.
That’s how we came about the term ‘Apollo’, named after the spacecraft believed to cause it in the first place.
Well, enough of history.
What causes Apollo/AHC?
It is caused by a virus called the enterovirus 70.
Enteroviruses are very common and are known to exist in a person’s stool, saliva, mucus, or fluid from blisters. They can also survive on surfaces for several days.
The most common way to ‘catch’ an enterovirus is to come in contact with an infected person’s respiratory fluids- for example, if they cough or sneeze.
You can also get exposed by touching a contaminated surface then touching your eyes, nose or mouth; drinking contaminated food or water; kissing, hugging, sharing utensils, or shaking hands with an infected person.
This disease is common during the windy season when the wind can carry dust and infected droplets about, spreading the infection.
How can you protect yourself against Apollo/AHC?
Practice good hand hygiene. Washing your hands thoroughly and often can help protect your eyes from this menace.
Regular eye examinations can also help in detecting/diagnosing and managing AHC.
Children are usually responsible for the quick spread of AHC, so once detected, a child should be kept away from other people (or quarantined). This is same for infected adults.
What if you already have Apollo/AHC?
First of all, there’s no need to panic.
There is currently no known cure for AHC, although the infection usually clears within a five- to seven-day period.
You might visit a doctor for a prescription to help ease the discomfort you’re experiencing. Cold water compresses also help with relief.
Certain local home/traditional remedies like instilling urine, breast milk, salt water, soap or any other substances that have not been recommended by a doctor into your eye may lead to permanent damage.
While this disease can naturally resolve on its own, bad management can cause worse outcomes.
ALWAYS VISIT AN EYE CLINIC IF YOU FEEL ABNORMAL EYE SYMPTOMS, DON’T TAKE LAWS INTO YOUR HANDS.
