Why is pink eye so contagious?

Pink eye infection in children, also called conjunctivitis, can spread quickly and may be easily transmitted to other family members.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin, transparent mucous layer covering the inner surface of the eyelid and the white part of the eyeball, is often caused by highly contagious bacteria and viruses, says Dr. Paramdeep Belkho, an optometrist and clinical consultant at the College of Optometrists in London.

Although allergies or irritants such as loss of eyelashes can cause pink eye, most cases come from viruses and bacteria. Adenoviruses, a highly contagious family of pathogens, account for more than 75% of cases of infectious conjunctivitis, Belkho said.

Adenoviruses may survive disinfectants, such as common hand sanitizers and 3% hydrogen peroxide solutions, according to a systematic review published in the Journal of Eye and Vision Research.

A person infected with adenovirus may also be contagious for up to two weeks from the time of infection. The review authors noted that there are no treatments targeting adenoviruses.

“In some cases of bacterial infectious conjunctivitis, antibiotics are required to help achieve recovery, but they will not work when the cause is viral,” Belkho said. “There are no antiviral agents available to treat infectious conjunctivitis.”

The bacteria and viruses that cause pink eye spread as a direct result of the symptoms they cause, such as eye redness and watering.

People who suffer from pink eye feel an intense urge to rub the affected eyes. From those infected surfaces, microbes can move from someone's hands to surfaces and personal items, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Many cases of viral conjunctivitis occur after prior or close contact with someone with an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold or flu,” Belkho said.

Because young children spend a lot of time in close contact with each other and tend not to practice good hygiene, they are particularly vulnerable to pink eye, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

“The key to treatment is to ensure careful hygiene measures are taken to prevent the spread of the disease to the eye and to others,” Belkho explained.

7 life factors that indicate that you are aging well!

Genetics plays an important role in the extent to which signs of aging appear, but people's behaviors and habits can also affect this.

Aging well means more than just being physically healthy, said Dr. Theresa Allison, a geriatrician and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has created a checklist for people in their 50s to find out whether they are aging well based on the latest science.

1. Strong social relationships

Older people are more at risk of feeling lonely due to living alone, not working, and being less mobile.

Research shows that people with a strong support system and a healthy social life are happier, healthier and live longer.

A review of 148 studies found that people with deep social connections had a 50% increased chance of survival.

2. Physical activity

Dr. James Powers, a geriatrician at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said people who get physical activity and exercise naturally into their lives age well.

A 2022 study of more than 5,000 older women found that physical activity was associated with a lower risk of death.

The study also found that long periods spent sitting can increase the risk of death.

3. Follow a healthy diet

A great deal of research has ranked the Mediterranean diet as the gold standard diet. It mainly includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy fats.

A study published last year found that the Mediterranean diet could help you live longer.

4. Participate in meaningful activities

A 2019 study published in JAMA Network Open, of about 7,000 adults, found that those who scored highest on the “life purpose” scale were less likely to die than people who scored relatively lower.

Experts believe that participating in activities that interest you may reduce stress levels and reduce inflammation in the body, which is linked to health problems such as cardiovascular disease.

5. Sleep for at least seven hours a night

Not getting enough sleep increases the chances of developing diseases such as obesity, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Research also links the time a person spends sleeping to the risk of dementia and even death.

Sleep provides the body with time to detoxify the brain and repair damaged nerve connections.

6. Positivity

Research indicates that positivity in life leads individuals to live longer, healthier lives.

“Age is just a number, but how you feel about it is very important,” said geriatrician John Patsis, MD, associate professor in the department of geriatrics at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

It has been proven that a positive outlook on aging reduces the risk of dementia and extends life by about seven and a half years.

7. Brain health

A study published this year indicated that loss of cognitive abilities may not be inevitable in old age.

The study saw adults between the ages of 58 and 86 take three to five lessons in subjects such as Spanish, drawing, and music composition for three months.

By the middle of the study, the participants had already enhanced their mental abilities to the level of adults who were 20 to 30 years younger.