Patients spike
In recent days, the number of patients coming to medical facilities in Quang Nam province for examination due to pink eye has increased dramatically.
At Quang Nam Eye Hospital, previously the hospital only received about 2-5 patients per day for eye examination and treatment, but in the past 3 days it has increased to 20-30 cases per day, most of whom are patients under 18 years old (accounting for about 70%).
Dr. Nguyen Minh Thu, Deputy Director of Quang Nam Eye Hospital, said that conjunctivitis occurs year-round, but this time the disease is spreading very quickly. Pink eye usually starts 3-7 days after contact with the source of infection.
Common symptoms include conjunctival congestion (red eyes), watery eyes, and eye discharge; children may have symptoms of rhinitis, pharyngitis, respiratory tract infections, fever, etc.
According to Dr. Thu, children can get the disease through direct contact with secretions from the eyes, nose, mouth or through direct contact with sick people, rubbing their eyes, sharing personal items with sick people...
Doctor Le Van Tien, Director of Nui Thanh District Medical Center (Quang Nam), said that as of the afternoon of September 14, a preliminary investigation in the entire district determined that there were more than 4,600 cases of pink eye. However, at the district medical center, the medicine in the health insurance list to treat this disease had... run out several months ago.
Many patients come to see eye doctors at medical facilities in the province.
According to Dr. Tien, the results of the drug bidding for 2023 are still not available, while the drugs planned for 2022 have been used up. Therefore, when people come to the District Health Center for eye examination, they have to buy drugs from outside.
In Duy Xuyen District, the number of patients with pink eye and the shortage of treatment drugs are similar. Doctor Tran Do Nhan, Director of Duy Xuyen District Medical Center, said that in recent days, the unit has received and treated 120-150 patients per day.
"Currently, medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis is quite scarce, but the district health center still tries to ensure that it is provided free of charge to the people," Dr. Nhan commented.
"Sold out" of treatment drugs
In a quick survey at major pharmacies in Tam Ky City, Thanh Nien reporters found that some eye drops that support the treatment of conjunctivitis, styes, and blepharitis that many people choose, such as TobraDex Alcon, Oflovid Saten, etc., have been out of stock for the past few days.
Notably, eye cleaning solutions are also "out of stock". Among them, 0.9% Sodium Chloride saline solution has been sold out for many days now due to a sudden increase in demand.
Many patients go to medical facilities to buy medicine to treat pink eye.
A representative of a pharmacy in Tam Ky City said that due to the fear of running out of medicine at the peak of the epidemic, many people have rushed to buy in reserve, leading to a shortage of some types of medicine. Meanwhile, according to information from suppliers, it is expected that the supply of eye wash solutions and eye drops will stabilize again this weekend.
Dr. Nguyen Minh Thu, Deputy Director of Quang Nam Eye Hospital, recommends that to effectively prevent pink eye, people need to wash their hands with soap and clean water to prevent sources of infection and pathogens. In addition, they should not put their hands on their eyes, nose, mouth, or face to avoid bringing pathogens to their eyes.
"Clean your eyes, nose, and throat regularly with saline, at least 3 times a day (morning, noon, and evening). Do not share items with sick people such as towels or glasses. For those who have pink eye, they should wear a medical mask, which is also an effective measure to limit the spread of direct contact... It is necessary to limit contact with sick people and people suspected of having pink eye," said Dr. Thu.
When people have symptoms of pink eye, they should immediately go to a medical facility, especially an eye specialist, and should not buy eye drops without a doctor's guidance. Because many types of eye drops contain antibiotics or Corticoid compounds that can cause dryness, burning, damage to the eyes, prolong the treatment time... causing danger to the eyes.
Source link
![[Photo] Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs Government Conference with localities on economic growth](https://vstatic.vietnam.vn/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/2/21/f34583484f2643a2a2b72168a0d64baa)
Comment (0)