17/10/2019
17 Oktober 2019
Dr Caren Louw, Hartswater
LEES ASSEBLIEF EN DEEL SO WYD AS MOONTLIK!
PLEASE READ AND SHARE FAR AND WIDE!
(Scroll down for English version)
Ons Hartswater-gemeenskap loop tans deur onder ‘n epidemie van “pink eyes”.
“Pink Eyes” is ‘n hoogs aansteeklike virusinfeksie van die slymvlies van die oog. Die sondebok is ‘n adenovirus en die infeksie kan vinnig en soos ‘n veldbrand versprei, veral waar groot groepe mense bymekaar is soos skole ens. Die virus word in die trane uitgeskei en versprei deur direkte kontak. Dit kan ook redelik lank op oppervlakke oorleef.
Die vroegste simptome is ‘n gejeuk en krap van die oog. Binne enkele dae kan dit na die ander oog versprei. Daar is geen genesing hiervoor nie! Die infeksie moet toegelaat word om homself uit te woed en behandeling is slegs gemik op simptoomverligting. Die infeksie kan van ‘n paar dae tot so lank as 3 weke neem om op te klaar. Die gemiddelde tydsduur is 10 tot 14 dae. Solank die oë rooi is, is dit aansteeklik.
Tekens:
Een of albei oë is baie rooi, met die ergste rooiheid in die onderste ooglid.
Die ooglede swel.
Daar is ‘n oormatige waterige afskeiding van die oë.
Die oë is sensitief vir lig of hitte.
Dit kan baie pynlik wees en ook jeuk.
Behandeling en voorkoming:
As u of u kind ENIGE oogongemak ervaar, bly by die huis!
As iemand in u huis die infeksie onder lede het, vermy direkte kontak so ver moontlik en was gereeld hande. Spoel besmette snesies ens dadelik in die toilet af. Vermy kontak met die besmette persoon se klere, kussingslope ens.
Traanvervanging soos Tears NaturaleTM kan help vir die jeuk/krap – veral as dit in die yskas koud gehou word.
Koue yswaterkompresse op die oë help ook vir pyn en jeuk.
Ibuprofen kan gegee word as die oë baie pynlik is.
Ons enigste wapens teen hierdie virus is: Bly tuis as jy dit onder lede het en hande was, hande was, hande was!
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Our community in Hartswater is currently under attack from a “pink eye” epidemic.
“Pink Eyes” is a highly contagious virus infection of the mucous membranes of the eyes. The culprit is an adenovirus and the infection can spread superfast like a wild fire, especially where large groups of people are together like schools etc. The virus is excreted in the tears and spreads through direct contact. It can also survive on surfaces for an extended period of time.
The earliest symptoms are itching and scratching of the eye. Withing a few days both eyes may be affected. There is no cure! The infection must be allowed to run its course and treatment is aimed at symptom relief only. The active infection may last from a few days to as long as 3 weeks. The average period is 10 to 14 days. As long as the eyes are red, it is contagious.
Signs:
One or both eyes are red, with the most redness in the lower eyelid.
The eyelids become swollen.
There is a severe watery discharge from the eyes.
The eyes are sensitive to light and heat.
It can be very painful and itching.
Treatment and prevention:
If you or your child are experiencing ANY eye discomfort, stay at home!
If a member of your household is affected, avoid direct contact as far as possible and wash your hands frequently.
Dispose of contaminated tissues etc in the toilet. Avoid contact with the affected person's clothes, pillow cases etc.
Tear replacement drops like Tears NaturaleTM may help for itching/scratching – especially if kept cold in the refrigerator.
Cold ice water compresses on the eyes also helps for pain and itching.
Ibuprofen may be given for pain.
Our only weapons against this virus are: Stay home if you are affected and wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!
