CONJUNCTIVITIS - HEALTH GUIDE FOR PARENTS, SCHOOL STAFF & STUDENTS

[Grace Ufochuku]

*CONJUNCTIVITIS - HEALTH GUIDE FOR PARENTS, SCHOOL STAFF & STUDENTS*
Al-Itqaan International School

*1. WHAT IS CONJUNCTIVITIS?*
- Also called pink eye
- Inflammation of thin membrane covering white part of eye and inner eyelids
- Spreads quickly in schools when viral or bacterial

*2. COMMON SIGNS*
- Red / pink eye
- Watery eyes
- Itching or irritation
- Swollen eyelids
- Feeling something is in the eye
- Sticky yellow / green discharge - more in bacterial
- Eyes sticking together after sleep
- Sensitivity to light in some cases

*3. CAUSES*
- *Viral:* Associated with cold / respiratory infection - easily spread
- *Bacterial:* Thick discharge - can spread
- *Allergic:* From dust, pollen - affects both eyes - NOT contagious
- *Irritant:* From smoke, chemicals, dust - not necessarily infectious

*4. HOW IT SPREADS*
- Touching infected discharge then touching eyes
- Contaminated hands
- Shared towels, handkerchiefs, face cloths, pillows
- Shared personal items and eye-care items
- Frequently touched surfaces
- Coughing and sneezing

> Core rule: Hands away from your eyes - and wash hands regularly.

*5. WHAT PARENTS AND STUDENTS SHOULD DO TOGETHER*
- Wash hands regularly with soap and water - before and after helping child
- Avoid touching or rubbing eyes
- Use clean tissue to wipe face and dispose properly
- Do not share towels, handkerchiefs, pillows, face cloths or eye-care items
- Do not touch another person's eyes
- Tell teacher or parent if eye becomes red, painful or has discharge
- Clean discharge gently with clean materials and dispose appropriately
- Seek medical advice when cause is uncertain or symptoms are significant
- Follow prescribed treatment exactly if medication is given
- Do NOT use leftover antibiotic eye drops or someone else's eye medicine - antibiotics do not treat viral

 

[Grace Ufochuku]

*6. CURATIVE SUPPORT CARE - Safe Home Care Before and During Treatment*

_General information only - does not replace medical advice_

- *Warm Compress for Sticky Eyes:*
- Boil water, cool to lukewarm
- Soak CLEAN cotton wool / gauze
- Wipe gently from inner corner outward
- One cotton per eye, one wipe only, then throw away
- Do 2-3 times daily to remove discharge and prevent lids sticking

- *Cold Compress for Itching / Allergic Type:*
- Clean cloth with cool water
- Place over CLOSED eyelids for 1-2 minutes
- Helps reduce itching and swelling


*7. WHEN SHOULD A CHILD STAY AWAY FROM SCHOOL?*
- Assessed according to school illness policy and healthcare advice
- Stay away especially when there is:
- Significant yellow / green discharge
- Fever
- Child is generally unwell
- Unable to avoid touching / rubbing eyes frequently
- Not every red eye needs same exclusion period - cause matters
- Allergic / irritant conjunctivitis does not normally require exclusion
- Child can return when symptoms improving, discharge reduced, and able to follow hygiene
- One case is not an outbreak, but several linked cases should prompt action

*8. SCHOOL PREVENTION MEASURES*
- Encourage frequent handwashing
- Provide functioning handwashing facilities and soap
- Teach students not to touch eyes
- Clean frequently touched surfaces regularly
- Avoid sharing towels and personal items
- Handle tissues and contaminated materials hygienically
- Inform parents when several cases occur in same class
- Keep records of suspected cases to identify clusters
- Encourage medical assessment when concerning

*Cleaning priorities:* Door handles, desks, chairs, keyboards and mice, light switches, classroom equipment, bathroom surfaces

*9. WHAT NOT TO DO*
- Do not share eye drops
- Do not share towels or handkerchiefs
- Do not rub eyes
- Do not use someone else's prescription
- Do not put home remedies or non-sterile substances into eye
- Do not ignore severe pain or vision changes

*10. WARNING SIGNS - NEED PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION*
- Significant eye pain
- Blurred or reduced vision
- Marked sensitivity to light
- Severe swelling around eye
- Injury or chemical exposure - rinse immediately with plenty of clean running water and seek urgent care
- Feeling something stuck in eye
- Rapidly worsening symptoms
- Child appears seriously unwell
- Symptoms in newborn baby
- Red eye is not always simple conjunctivitis

*11. SIMPLE MESSAGE FOR STUDENTS*

> RED EYE? DON'T SHARE IT!
> Wash your hands. Don't rub eyes. Don't share towels. Tell parent or teacher. Follow medical advice.

*12. PARENT-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP*
- Work together, don't blame
- Objective: Identify → Prevent spread → Obtain appropriate care → Protect school community → Return safely
- Communicate calmly

*Slogan:* Clean Hands, Healthy Eyes, Healthy Children.