Let’s face it, this summer, we’re not traveling anywhere outside of China! Sure, there are a few sunny domestic destinations such as Sanya, but for most of us, it looks like we’ll be spending the entire summer right here in Beijing. And there’s nothing wrong with that, since the capital is jam-packed with fantastic historical and modern sites just waiting to be discovered. However, summertime isn’t all about learning and cultural enrichment, it’s also about relaxing and having fun.
So with pools, picnics, and floaties in mind, we head into summer prepared for fun in the sun.
I’ve always been a bit of a germaphobe, even before Covid. The idea of jumping into a pool that’s possibly got a higher pee-peeH level than I’d like is still pretty icky to me. As such, in my mind, family-friendly pools are all but synonymous with pink eye.
Seeing the world through rose-colored glasses is great. Seeing it through rose-colored eyeballs… not so much. To find out more about this ghastly virus, we consulted Dr. Joy Oreto, a pediatrician at Oasis International Hospital who cleared up a few common misconceptions about pink eye.
Most everyone knows that pink eye comes from contact with fecal matter. It’s exactly how it sounds. Essentially, pink eye is the result of getting poop in your eye. But it’s also not that simple. “Bacteria or viruses that cause conjunctivitis (pink eye) can spread through hand-to-eye contact, [it’s] transmitted by hands or objects that are contaminated,” explains Dr. Oreto, adding, “Having contact with infectious tears, eye discharge, fecal matter, or respiratory discharges can contaminate hands.” Simply put, going to the bathroom and not properly washing your hands afterward, and then proceeding to touch a bunch of different surfaces, is one surefire way to get pink eye.
While we might not be able to count on the cleanliness of every surface we touch, pools are thoroughly chlorinated and that kills bacteria, right? “Even if the pool water is chlorinated it does not guarantee that it is germ-free,” says Dr. Oreto. “It is still possible to spread the infection through chlorinated water. Also, if you have conjunctivitis it could further worsen your eye condition.”
Okay, so you’re going to start – if you haven’t already – washing your hands with soap after every trip to the bathroom. Likewise, you may even be considering avoiding pools altogether this summer. Does that mean you’re safe from contracting pink eye? Not quite. Pink eye is highly contagious and, as mentioned, it’s spread by contact. The first time I heard this I thought to myself, “Well, what are the chances that someone else’s eyes will get in contact with mine?” but it’s actually more common than one would expect. It spreads when an infected person gets their eye secretion onto another surface – any surface… Think door handles, towels, pillowcases, etc.
Fear not, though! To prevent yourself from getting pink eye, a few simple measures can make a world of difference. Don’t share tissues, handkerchiefs, towels, or bedding with anyone you think might be infected. If you’re traveling, it’s never a bad idea to bring your own towels or buy a set of single-use ones that you can throw away. If you’re out and about, keep your hands clean and away from your face. Always wash your hands and when a sink isn’t available, a quick hand sanitizer rub will kill most bacteria.
What should parents do if their kids get pink eye?
• Consult your doctor about appropriate treatment.
• The safest approach to avoid spreading viral and bacterial conjunctivitis is to let your child stay home until there is no longer any discharge from the eye.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces.
• Change towels and bed covers.
• Teach kids proper hand hygiene.
KEEP READING: Back to School Health: Sniffles and Pinkeye and Lice! Oh My!
Images: Pexels
This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 May issue
