Have you ever experienced a cough, sore throat, and pink eye all at once? Lucky you. It’s common to believe that pink eye and upper respiratory infections are unrelated, but this couldn’t be far from the truth. Every year, three million Americans experience pink eye, often called conjunctivitis. It can quickly spread and is a common and contagious eye disease. Many people are shocked to learn that pink eye can cause upper respiratory infections. In this article, we will learn is pink eye a symptom of RSV or not and the treatments to overcome it.
What is RSV and How Does it Look Like?
A common virus known as the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) generally impacts the nose, throat, and lungs. RSV infections are more severe in infants and young children. Some people’s first symptoms of a runny nose, cough, and watery eyes may seem like a common cold. Still, when RSV creates difficulties, it causes problems. Since RSV is a viral upper respiratory infection, it can harm the head, neck, and lungs.
The most important thing to consider is whether your child is breathing heavily. The issue is that these young children use so much energy trying to breathe, and they neglect to eat food. You must take your child in for testing and treatment as soon as you notice any changes.
Symptoms for Pink Eye
Pink eye symptoms can vary. But, the most common symptoms of Pink eye include:
- Discharge from your eye
- Crusty or sticky eyelids
- Watery eyes
- The feeling of something in your eye
- Itchy eyes
- Pink color in the white region of your eye
- Burning Sensation
Viral conjunctivitis is more likely to produce respiratory problems. While bacterial conjunctivitis is more likely to result in some discharge.
The Link Between Upper Respiratory Symptoms and Pink Eye
Allergies, viruses, or bacteria can all cause conjunctivitis. Adenoviruses typically cause viral conjunctivitis. This infection can affect your eyes, urinary system, lungs, and airways, among other organs. The conjunctiva, a delicate membrane lining your eye and eyelid, and the lungs, nose, and throat are all connected by mucous membranes in your body. As a result, the infection can easily move from your eye to your respiratory system.
Tears go into your nasal tube from your eyes. So, if you blow your nose too hard, the virus may go from your nose to your eyes and cause pink eye. An upper respiratory infection can also occur from bacterial conjunctivitis. The bacteria that cause this kind of pink eye are streptococcal or staphylococcal. It can enter your eyes through your skin or respiratory system. Although a cold or respiratory infection isn’t always caused by pink eye, it’s not unusual to have some respiratory symptoms like coughing or a sore throat.
Treatment for RSV
Suctioning: Use a bulb syringe to help clean the mucus from your child’s nose. Your child’s breathing will be made easier as a result. Young kids who are more seriously infected may require oxygen and suctioning of the airways below the nose and neck, which usually require hospitalization.
Oxygen: Certain babies might require more oxygen so they can breathe better.
Synagis: A drug called Synagis may be used to treat premature babies or infants with chronic lung disease. A particular kind of antibody used to stop RSV is called Synagis. During the winter and spring, it is given as injections.
Medicine: Antibiotics cannot be used to treat RSV since it is caused by a virus, unlike a bacterial infection. Your child might benefit from taking an inhaler or an oral asthma medication.
Conclusion
RSV prefers to live on hard surfaces for several hours and is spread through droplet production, so attention and hygiene are essential. You must wash your hands while helping a child blow their nose or touch their face while providing care; wash your hands right after. Also, make sure the child is cleaning their hands. Keep kids from using other kids’ blankets, toothbrushes, pillowcases, etc. Only their personal comfort and hygiene goods should be used. Since you are so familiar with your kids, you should call a doctor if something isn’t right.