What Is Conjunctivitis?
10. Prevention and Patient Education
When it comes to prevention of infectious (bacterial and viral) conjunctivitis, simple hygiene measures can be highly effective as both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are highly contagious and spread with direct contact or through contaminated objects. Hand washing is an essential method to decrease transmission. It is important for patients to learn proper hand washing methods where soap and water will be required and hands should be rubbed together for 15 to 30 seconds.
Children should be taught to wash their hands before and after meals, after coughing, sneezing, and touching their eyes. When a sink is unavailable, alcohol based hand sanitizers are a good alternative. The entire surface of hands, fingers, and wrists should be covered. Those infected should avoid sharing handkerchiefs, towels, tissues, cosmetics, pillows, and bedsheets.
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