Season change woes: Conjunctivitis triggered by adenovirus back in Kol

Kolkata: A year after it struck scores in the city, adenovirus-triggered conjunctivitis has returned to haunt Kolkata. The symptoms remain the same — redness in one eye or both, eye discharge, and a stinging sensation in the eyes. Typically, the infection affects one eye first and then spreads to the other, with the symptoms becoming severe in two to three days, doctors said.Doctors also pointed out that adenovirus is the primary cause of conjunctivitis in most cases and it strikes throughout the year. Since the infection proliferates during season change, the impact is often greater, and conjunctivitis is triggered. It also indicates that respiratory viruses have started getting activated with the rising pollution post-Diwali, and the imminent temperature drop could help spread it.Fortis Hospital Anandapur has received several patients with adenovirus-triggered conjunctivitis. "The primary cause is adenovirus for most patients, and though the virus remains active throughout the year, infections see a surge during season change. I have seen patients across all age groups so far, but schoolchildren and adults commuting on public transport are most frequently affected. While it is spreading among children from classrooms, those with diabetes or lower immunity are vulnerable to adenovirus-triggered conjunctivitis. Their symptoms, too, are likely to be more severe," said Rudra Prasad Ghosh, consultant ophthalmologist at Fortis."I have come across several patients with red eyes this time. But it's often not very serious, though it adds to the suffering, especially if the patient already has breathing distress. Treatment for both adenovirus infection and conjunctivitis is symptomatic, and the latter usually starts improving with eye drops in three to four days," said Charnock Hospital pulmonologist Soumya Sengupta, adding that the return of adenovirus could be attributed to the fewer dengue cases this year. Male patients aged between 30 and 35 have been the most frequently affected, said Mudhusmita Behera, cataract and oculoplastic surgery consultant, Rotary Techno Netralaya. "Maintaining proper hygiene is crucial to prevent spread of conjunctivitis. Also, avoid self-medication," said Behera.The city could see a spurt in respiratory tract infections, including adenovirus, in a few weeks, said CMRI Hospital pulmonology director Raja Dhar. "Conjunctivitis is common among adenovirus patients, especially when the number of cases proliferates, like it did last year. Any upper respiratory tract infection may cause conjunctivitis. But it is not any different or more infectious than ordinary conjunctivitis, and usually, the symptoms recede quickly," Dhar said.
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