DOH warning: Watch out for sore eyes this summer

The Department of Health (DOH) cautioned the public against catching sore eyes especially during the summer season, according to Mark Salazar’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday.

The common symptoms of sore eyes are redness and itchiness of one or both eyes.

“Pag nakita natin na mapula na yung mga mata natin may sore eyes na agad, pero hindi naman po yun totoo. Kailangan very cautious tayo sa pagdidiagnose at pagsasabi kung tayo ay may sore eyes o wala ang pinakamabuti talaga makapagkonsulta tayo sa doktor,” DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

(When we see that our eyes are reddish, we immediately think we have sore eyes, but that is not true. We need to be very cautious in diagnosing and saying if we have sore eyes or not, the best thing is to consult a doctor.)

The DOH advised to immediately consult the doctor for proper prescription of medicine as the disease normally heals within two weeks.

“Wag kayong basta basta maglagay ng kahit anong eye drops sa inyong mata kasi ito po might cause more harm than good, maaari naman gumamit ng malinis na cloth na maaaring ninyo pong dampi-dampian lang pero iwasan natin pag hinawak sa kanang kamay ay hahawak pa sa kaliwang kamay dahil madaling kumalat ang sore eyes,” Vergeire said.

(Don't just put any eye drops in your eyes because it might cause more harm than good, you can use a clean cloth on your eyes, but let's avoid touching it with our hands because sore eyes can spread easily.)

Sore eyes can easily spread to people who borrow towel, handkerchief, make-up or eyeglasses used by infected persons.

Touching and rubbing the eyes is the fastest way to get it.

In Zamboanga City, Elvin Ramirez infected his two children and his 81-year-old grandmother with sore eyes.

“Parang mabigat lang to siya dito, nag muta-muta, nagluha-luha tapos mainit ganon lang po, mga dalawang araw lang po naging red po siya pero yung isang mata ko lang po,” he said.

(The eyes feel heavy, watery and hot. After two days, the redness appears on one eye.)

“They lived in one house, they interact nahahawakan sila so viral po most likely if ‘yung isang tao ay may viral conjunctivitis, weak ang immune system nila pwede po mag-super infect si bacteria doon na po mapapansin talagang grabe na ang mga secretions, greenish na ‘yung iba yellowish nagdidikit at hindi na mabukas ‘yung mata,” Zamboanga City Medical Center Dr. Shadrina Sarapuddin said.

Meanwhile, grandmother Cristy Engor always reminded her 10 grandchildren to wash their hands to prevent the spread of sore eyes in their compound.

“Hanggang ngayon gumagamit pa rin kami nung alcohol para proteksyon sa germs [para] lahat ng sakit maalis,” grandmother Cristy Engor said.

(Until now we still use alcohol to protect us against germs and eliminate all diseases.)

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) also said it is preparing for the possible emergence of summer-related diseases in their facilities.

“Nag-procure ng medicines ang BJMP in preparation for summer-related disease kasi ini-expect ng BJMP na merong surge ng mga skin disease,” BJMP spokesperson Jail Chief Inspector Jayrex Bustinera said at a televised public briefing.

(The BJMP has procured medicines in preparation for summer-related diseases because we are expecting a surge in skin diseases.)—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA Integrated News