A review of the eye flu or viral conjunctivitis and its associated current treatment, management and challenges

Abstract

The popular disease known as "Eye flu" affects millions of individuals each year throughout the world. It is also referred to as viral conjunctivitis and is a viral infection that causes redness, itching, and irritation of the eyes. Viral conjunctivitis is the most frequent type of infectious conjunctivitis, and it is particularly prevalent in the hot, humid seasons. Conjunctivitis, also referred to as "red eye," is one of the most prevalent ocular conditions seen in ophthalmic emergency rooms. Conjunctivitis was first described in print by S.T. Quellmaz in 1881.Conjunctivitis is an infection of the conjunctiva, and the main causes are viruses, bacteria, allergies, and irritants. Primary care physicians encounter acute infectious causes (viruses and bacteria) of eye diseases most frequently. Clinically, it might be challenging to distinguish between viral and bacterial conjunctivitis. Human adenovirus (HAdV) is the most common cause of viral conjunctivitis, accounting for 65% to 90% of cases. The focus of treatment for viral conjunctivitis produced by an adenovirus should be on symptomatic alleviation using cold compresses and artificial tears. In this review, we discuss how it is treated, managed, and challenged.