Pay attention to eye diseases when children have flu or measles

NDO - When children have flu or measles, parents often pay attention to respiratory symptoms such as cough, runny nose, stuffy nose... but subjectively do not pay attention to eye symptoms.

The incidence of influenza and some respiratory diseases such as measles increases in winter-spring weather. Along with common respiratory symptoms such as cough, runny nose, stuffy nose, rash, etc., many cases of complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and respiratory failure require hospitalization for monitoring.

In addition, many patients with respiratory infections such as influenza and measles have eye symptoms. Some cases of eye disease progress to severe, causing vision loss.

According to Tam Anh High-Tech Eye Center, most patients, including many children, with flu and measles have eye diseases such as conjunctivitis and keratitis.

Baby Le Nguyen Manh (4 years old) had signs of dry cough, runny nose and mild fever. The family treated him at home and discovered that the child had watery eyes and a lot of eye discharge.

After 1 week of using saline and eye drops but not getting better, the family took the child to see a doctor. The doctor discovered that the child's eyelids were swollen, had thick, sticky pseudomembranes, and the cornea had complications of epithelial erosion (the corneal surface is damaged, peeled, and no longer intact. If not treated promptly, it can become infected and affect vision).

After being diagnosed, the patient was prescribed treatment according to the regimen and closely monitored. The treatment results were good, the symptoms gradually decreased, and Manh recovered completely after 1 week.

According to Master, resident physician Luong Thi Anh Thu, Tam Anh High-Tech Eye Center, some respiratory infectious diseases such as flu and measles can cause eye diseases such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, conjunctival hemorrhage, etc. Eye symptoms include: watery eyes, glare; itchy, gritty feeling in the eyes; lots of thick discharge in the eyes; feeling dry eyes, tired eyes, reduced vision, etc.

The cause of eye disease symptoms when having flu or measles may be due to the habit of covering the mouth with bare hands, then rubbing the eyes, causing viruses and bacteria to spread and cause disease on the face. Children often do not pay attention to hand hygiene and have the habit of touching, chewing on objects, and cannot control their eye rubbing behavior, which can easily lead to eye disease.

Doctor Anh Thu shared that when seeing their children have flu or measles, parents often only care about respiratory symptoms such as cough, runny nose, stuffy nose... and do not pay attention to eye symptoms.

"Keratinitis, conjunctivitis or corneal hemorrhage are not difficult to treat. However, many families have the habit of self-medicating, using eye drops or ointments without medical prescription, which can cause the disease to not be treated properly or become worse, affecting vision. When there are abnormal signs in the eyes, parents should take their children to see a doctor early to assess the condition and prescribe appropriate treatment," Dr. Anh Thu advised.

Along with seasonal diseases, children are also at risk of many other eye diseases, including common congenital diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, myopia, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)... Congenital eye diseases in children are often difficult to detect because the disease progresses silently and is difficult to detect without specialized equipment. In particular, children find it difficult to describe and accurately share their feelings and symptoms of the disease.

Early detection of congenital visual system abnormalities is extremely important, ensuring effective treatment and limiting complications. According to Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien - Head of Refractive and Myopia Control Department, Tam Anh High-Tech Eye Center, to limit the impact of congenital eye diseases, children need to be monitored and treated early before the age of 7.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/chu-y-benh-ly-o-mat-khi-tre-mac-cum-soi-post860681.html