RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh’s Health and Family Welfare Department on Thursday issued an advisory to the Director of School Education and Tribal and Scheduled Castes Development Department for the prevention of conjunctivitis.

The health department has asked both the departments to circulate necessary instructions to prevent conjunctivitis in schools, hostels, residential schools and ashram-hostels. The health department has also asked children to be informed about the symptoms, treatment and prevention of the infection.

The circular states that ‘conjunctivitis’ has increased due to the present weather condition in the state. It spreads by contact mainly in densely populated areas.

In state-run schools, residential schools, ashram-hostels and hostels, students live in groups where there is a higher risk of spread.

The Director, Epidemic Control Dr Subhash Mishra states that conjunctivitis is a common eye disease. The patient's eye becomes red, mud, tears rolls out, there is a prickling sensation and sometimes swelling occurs.

In case of conjunctivitis, antibiotic drops such as Gentamicin, Ciprofloxacine, Moxifloxacin eye drops can be given to the patient six times a day for three days. If there is no relief in three days, there may be a possibility of some other disease. In such cases it is advisable to see an eye specialist.

The facility of examination and treatment of conjunctivitis is available free of cost in medical colleges, district hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres.