What is eye flu

Eye flu is an infectious disease that is widespread worldwide, occurs in every season of the year, including the whole of 2018 or 2017, and only affects people. The eye flu is caused by viruses, more precisely adenoviruses.

The disease has other complicated names: epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (KCE), adenovirus epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis epidemic, or adenovirus conjunctivitis.

Eye flu is extremely contagious because the viruses spread quickly, are extremely resilient and can persist in the environment for a long time. The pathogens usually attack the conjunctiva first, then the cornea of ​​the eye. Later, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis can also spread to the second eye.

Symptoms of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: The eye sees red

In epidemic conjunctivitis, symptoms of conjunctivitis develop first . The symptoms usually start in one eyes and spread to the second eye in about half of the patients within a week. The signs of adenovirus infection and conjunctivitis are:

• The eye suddenly reddened
• The conjunctiva swells in a ring
• The lymph node in fronts of the ear swell
• Many feel like they have a foreign object in their eye (like grains of sand)
• Excruciating itching in the eye develops
• The eye is watering
• Many feel an increased sensitivity and photophobia
• The eyelid swells and droops from the inflammation

After around seven days, the viruses also attack the cornea in 20 to 90 percent of cases. Then there are the following symptoms of corneal inflammation :

• The cornea becomes cloudy (you can see through a frosted glass, a mist or a veil)
• Eyesight deteriorates

Eye flu or conjunctivitis? The differences

The eye flu has a clear trigger : adenoviruses. These are extremely contagious. The infectious disease is therefore spreading rapidly.

Normal conjunctivitis , on the other hand, can have many different causes : viruses, bacteria and fungi, but also non-infectious triggers. These include environmental stimuli such as bright sunlight, drafts, dust, smoke or exhaust gases. In addition, allergies (e.g. hay fever ), dry eyes, untreated visual disturbances , incorrect glasses or long contact lenses can cause conjunctivitis.

The eye flu is often more severe than the conjunctivitis and lasts longer . It usually only subsides after two to four weeks. In many cases, the cornea is also involved, and sometimes even visual damage is left behind.

What is epidemic keratoconjuncitivitis?

The name keratoconjunctivitis epidemica is derived as follows:
The word "kerato" means that the infection affects the cornea, while conjunctivitis stands for "conjunctivitis". In this disease, the conjunctiva and cornea are affected at the same time .

And: You can veritable epidemics ( "epidemic") of the eyes flu occur because the pathogens highly contagious are. If only the conjunctiva is infected, doctors speak of conjunctivitis epidemica.

 

In the case of eye flu, the eye is reddened at first. In the later course of the disease, the cornea can become cloudy

Eye flu in children

People of all ages are affected. Adenoviruses spread particularly quickly in community facilities such as schools, kindergartens or daycare centers. Eye flu in children is therefore not uncommon. Eye flu also often circulates in care facilities. The eye flu is often preceded by respiratory (e.g. cold ) or gastrointestinal infections.

Medical professionals are familiar with many types of adenoviruses. They are responsible for a wide variety of clinical pictures. Mostly they affect the eyes, respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal tract. Infections of the urinary tract, liver, meninges and the brain are also possible. Adenoviruses of types 8, 19 and 37 are responsible for epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.

Epidemic conjunctivitis: sick leave and mandatory notification

The eye flu is notifiable according to the Infection Protection Act . If a doctor has detected adenovirus in the smear from the eye, he must report this to the health department immediately. This is important to prevent an epidemic. Because this evidence is often missing, the number of reports only represents a fraction of the actual cases of illness. If the eye flu occurs more frequently in medical facilities, for example an ophthalmologist's practice, there is an obligation to report keratoconjunctivitis epidemica even without laboratory evidence.

When is the eye flu contagious?

The risk of adenovirus transmission begins with the first symptoms of the disease and lasts for at least two weeks. See an ophthalmologist at the first symptoms of eye flu.

But be careful! Always inform the practice before visiting an ophthalmologist if you suspect that you have infectious conjunctivitis. This enables the practice team to take protective measures.

Eye flu: sick leave

People with eye flu have to take sick leave, usually for several weeks. Eye flu is contagious as long as adenoviruses can still be detected in the eye secretion. This is the case for at least two weeks. Only then are those affected allowed to return to the job. Children are only allowed to go to school, daycare or kindergarten again when the eye flu has subsided. Sometimes parents have to provide a medical certificate just to be on the safe side.

 

Epidemic conjunctivitis: incubation period and routes of infection

The incubation period, i.e. the time between infection with the adenoviruses and the onset of conjunctivitis epidemica, is five to twelve days . Infected patients excrete large amounts of adenoviruses. Other people can get infected as soon as the first symptoms of conjunctivitis show up. As long as the pathogen can be detected in the tear fluid, there is a risk of infection for others. This period is at least two weeks.

Routes of infection by eye flu

Most people get infected with the adenoviruses through a smear infection. The pathogens are usually found on contaminated hands and are passed on during normal handshakes. If you then rub your eyes with your fingers, the virus will be transmitted to your own visual organ. Conversely, the pathogens fall on the fingers when they come into contact with eye secretions containing viruses, for example when patients with eye flu want to calm the itching in the eye.

In addition, the following infection routes are known:

• Contact with contaminated objects such as door handles, handrails, fittings, computer keyboards or telephones
• Shared cosmetics (e.g. eye shadow, mascara, eye creams, makeup)
• Common medications such as eye drops or eye ointments
• Towels, washcloths or pillows that you share with others
• Sunglasses, cameras, binoculars or toys (e.g. kaleidoscopes) that several people use
• In doctor's offices and clinics via contaminated instruments (tonometer for measuring intraocular pressure), dropper pipettes or eye drops

 

Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis: How to Treat?

Eye flu - what helps now? This is what many ask when they have caught keratoconjunctivitis epidemica. The bad news is: To date, there is no eye flu therapy that specifically targets the cause, the adenoviruses.

Contrary to what many believe, antibiotics are ineffective against eye flu. Incidentally, this also applies to the real flu . Because antibiotics are drugs that only work against bacteria. However, the causative agents of eye flu are viruses. So treatment for eye flu is all about reducing the amount of virus, lowering the risk of corneal infection, and relieving the symptoms of eye flu.

Eye flu - which drugs work and which don't?

• Eye drops or eye ointments moisten dry eyes and ensure a sufficient film of liquid.
• Doctors only use antibiotics for eye flu to treat or prevent an additional bacterial infection (superinfection).
• Drugs that are directed against viruses (antivirals) had little or no effect in the fight against adenoviruses in studies.
• For corneal opacities, anti-inflammatory drugs such as cortisone as eye drops may be a short-term option. In studies, they had a slightly positive effect. However, the doctors found a longer duration of illness, relapses and side effects of the steroids to be negative effects. Nowadays, doctors only use these drugs in exceptional cases.
• In some studies, cyclosporine A had a positive effect on the eyesight in the case of corneal opacities; the active ingredient belongs to the group of immunosuppressants. Another option is to ablate the cornea with the laser.
   

Home remedies: treat eye flu as an alternative

If you want to treat the eye flu as an alternative, the magic formula is thorough hygiene. The following tips reduce the number of viruses, slow down their reproduction and reduce the risk of an infection of the cornea:

• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water. This is especially true if they come into contact with the inflamed eyes.
• Avoid touching your eyes with your hands - even if they are extremely itchy. Adenoviruses stick to your fingers and pass them on to others.
• Do not share towels, washcloths, pillows, cosmetics (e.g., mascara, eyeliner, powder) and eye drops with other people in your household.
• Make sure that your towels do not come into contact with other towels and textiles, not even when hanging them up. Change the towels more often and wash them at at least 60 degrees Celsius, 90 degrees Celsius is better.
• Do not share sunglasses, video cameras, binoculars or cameras with others.
• Disinfectant: Not all over-the-counter disinfectants for the hands or the household are effective against adenoviruses. You need a special disinfectant from action area B. It must be labeled "virucidal". Ask about this at your pharmacy or the health department.
• Use single-use wipes to clean surfaces and objects. Do not throw them in the trash in the room, but dispose of them immediately in the household waste. The same applies to facial tissues. Disposable gloves offer additional protection.
• Lastly, stay home if you have eye flu. Avoid public facilities and places that are crowded with people. Saunas, swimming pools or whirlpools are also taboo. Otherwise, other people will quickly catch the eye flu.

Duration, course and consequences of the eye flu

The duration of the eye flu is approximately two to four weeks . After that, the symptoms will go away again. The course of the eye flu is usually good. The corneal inflammation also heals completely in most cases. But some suffer from the effects of eye flu. Slight clouding of the cornea can persist for longer, sometimes even for months or years. Then the eyesight remains impaired.

The organism forms defense substances (antibodies) after coming into contact with an adenovirus. You are then immune to this specific pathogen. But because there are so many different types of adenoviruses, you can re-infect yourself with other adenoviruses.

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis and pregnancy

According to the current state of knowledge, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis during pregnancy is not dangerous for the unborn child. The adenoviruses do not spread through the bloodstream, but rather through contact with infected eye secretion that sticks to objects or hands. If you touch your eyes with contaminated fingers, the viruses get into the organ of vision.

The symptoms of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis during pregnancy can be treated with eye drops or an eye ointment. Pregnant women may also use both after consulting their doctor.

Preventing eye flu - how do you protect yourself from adenoviruses?

There is no vaccination against eye flu - unlike normal flu. But there are a few things you can do yourself to protect yourself from contracting keratoconjuncitivitis epidemica. In principle, all the hygiene measures mentioned in the “Treatment” section also apply to people who are not ill .

Otherwise, you can prevent eye flu with the following tips:

• Avoid close contact with people who have eye flu. The adenoviruses stick to hands and objects and spread quickly, for example when you simply shake hands. Even if it may seem impolite, do not shake hands or give you a hug.
• Make sure you have good hand hygiene yourself if someone around you is infected with eye flu. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap under running water. By the way, washing your hands properly is not a breeze, it takes at least 30 seconds.
• Do not rub your eyes with unwashed hands . Many do this several times a day, but mostly unconsciously. You could have touched previously contaminated objects or the skin of sick people.

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