Conjunctivitis in Delhi

Past History:

An epidemic of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis affecting persons of all ages and both sexes occurred in Delhi and surrounding areas during the monsoon season of 1994. The symptoms lasted on an average for 4-5 days. In some of the patients corneal involvement was observed. Conjunctival swabs from the affected patients were processed for viral antigen detection, virus isolation and bacterial culture and sensitivity. Viral antigen was detected in 62% 31/50 of the smears tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay. In 22 44% of the specimens Coxackie A 24 Cox A 24 virus antigen and in 9 18% of the specimens Entero Virus 70 EV 70 antigen were detected. In confluent monolayers of Hep 2 cells cytopathic virus was isolated in 10 30.30% of the 33 specimens processed. The isolated viruses were identified as either Cox A 24 7 isolates or EV 70 3 isolates using indirect immunofluorescence assay. Super added bacterial infection was observed in 33% 89/270 of the cases, Staphylococcus albus being the predominant bacteria isolated. (An epidemic of viral acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Delhi in 1994 Satpathy G, Mohanty S, Nayak N – Indian J Ophthalmol.)

Conjunctivitis repeated this year i.e. 2010 again. these are symptoms. I also had swelling in left eye.

Viral conjunctivitis is associated with inflammation that results from swelling of small blood vessels which, in turn, makes the eyes red. Highly contagious, it can spread from one person to another through direct contact. Overcrowded places and dirty surroundings can worsen the ailment. People may be infected by a handshake, through use of common towels/clothes or even exchange of currency notes. “The humidity in the area after the rains and floods has created conditions congenial to the spread of eye flu,” said Dr VK Jain, SMO, Primary Health Centre, Ratia.(Source)

Is it some kind of cycle or is it related to some other phenomenon? Who Knows? Who cares? News about year 2010 is here.

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