When the white part of your eye turns pink or reddish and becomes itchy, you may have a condition called Apollo eye infection, also known as conjunctivitis or pink eye. Bacterial, viral, or allergic infections can cause it.
Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are highly contagious, and people may remain infectious for up to two weeks following the initial onset of symptoms. On the contrary, allergic conjunctivitis is not infectious.
Most pink eye cases have viral or bacterial origins and may coincide with other infections.
Apollo eye infections can be transmitted similarly to other viral and bacterial infections. The incubation period between acquiring the disease and the emergence of symptoms for viral or bacterial conjunctivitis typically spans 24 to 72 hours.
Contracting Apollo infection is possible if you touch a surface contaminated with the virus or bacteria and subsequently touch your eyes. Bacteria can endure on surfaces for up to eight hours, while some strains persist for a few days. Most viruses remain viable for a few days, with certain types surviving on surfaces for up to two months.
The infection can also spread through close contact, such as a handshake, hug, kiss, or coughing and sneezing.
Wearing contact lenses, especially extended-wear lenses, increases the risk of infection. This heightened risk is due to the potential for bacteria to live and grow on the lenses.
Apollo infection becomes contagious once symptoms appear and remain as long as tearing and discharge are present. If your child has an Apollo infection, it’s advisable to keep them home from school or daycare until symptoms resolve. Symptoms are usually mild and often clear up within a few days.
If you have an Apollo infection, you can resume work anytime but must take precautions, including thorough handwashing after touching your eyes.
Apollo’s contagiousness is comparable to other common infections, such as colds, and proactive measures are required to prevent its spread or acquisition from others.
The first sign of an Apollo eye infection is a change in the color of the white part of your eye, called the sclera. This tough outer layer protects the iris and the eye.
The conjunctiva, a thin, transparent membrane that covers the sclera, becomes inflamed when one gets an Apollo infection. The eye looks red or pink because the blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, making them more visible.
Inflammation or irritation of the conjunctiva doesn’t always mean pink eye. Swimming in a pool with chlorine can also redden your eyes.
Some symptoms include:
Apollo infection can form in one or both eyes. If you wear contact lenses, they may feel very uncomfortable, like they don’t fit how they usually do. You should avoid wearing your contacts while you have symptoms.
In severe cases, conjunctivitis can cause the lymph node near your ear to swell. This may feel like a small lump. The lymph nodes allow the body to fight infections. The lymph node should shrink once the viral or bacterial disease is cleared.
Treatment is not always necessary for mild cases of infection. Artificial tears can alleviate dry eyes, and cold packs can lessen the discomfort of eye inflammation.
Viral conjunctivitis may not necessitate treatment, but if the underlying cause is the herpes simplex virus or the varicella-zoster virus (shingles), anti-viral medications may be prescribed.
Antibiotic eye drops or ointments may be recommended for bacterial infection. Antibiotics can help shorten the duration of symptoms and reduce the contagious period. However, it’s important to note that antibiotics are ineffective in treating viral infections.
Refrain from touching your eyes with your hands, especially if you haven’t recently washed them. Protecting your eyes in this way should help prevent infection.
Some other methods to prevent eye infection include:
Viral and bacterial infections are both contagious while symptoms are present. Allergic conjunctivitis is not infectious. Bacterial infection tends to occur in one eye and may coincide with an ear infection. Viral infection usually appears in both eyes and may develop with a cold or respiratory condition.
Taking preventive steps and keeping your child home as much as possible while symptoms are present can help reduce the risk of spreading the infection. Furthermore, consult your eye doctor if you notice any symptoms of the disorder. Early diagnosis and timely treatment can help reduce signs and lower the odds of spreading the condition to others.
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