Awareness of Swimming Pool Conjunctivitis in Qassime

Ibtihal Abdullah Alhufayti

Qassim College of Medicine

*Corresponding Author E-mail:

ABSTRACT:

Background: Conjunctivitis can be caused by a Varity of bacterial, viral and even chemical material. The swimming pool conjunctivitis is mainly caused by adenovirous. We conducted this study to measure the level of awareness in qassime region. The objectives: The study to ass level of awareness about swimming pool conjunctivitis in qassime. Method: a cross sectional survey included a convent sample of 107 male and female aged between 21-30 from qassime 50% of them graduated from college. A questioner included questions related to study objectives interviewed. Results: Our study revealed 85.5% of the sample use swimming pools rarely < 3 times a month and 32.71% do open their eyes under the water. A 54.21% spend between 1to 3 hours in the pool and 52.34% are inside the building. A 20.56% of them had swimming pool conjunctivitis and 86.17 % of their main complain is red eye, but 24.8% had other complain (fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, sore throat) when they asked about the cause of their problem 56.07% chose chloride. Conclusion and recommendation: Swimming pool conjunctivitis is a viral infection caused mainly by adenovirus and 56.07% of the sample think it's caused by chloride which is a part of the problem .we recommend campaigns in malls and schools to increase the level of awareness and its proper way of preventing it.

KEYWORDS:

INTRODUCTION:

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin transparent layer of tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye[1]

There are many types of conjunctivitis, but base on the etiology we can divide them into bacterial conjunctivitis, viral conjunctivitis, fungal conjunctivitis, parasitic conjunctivitis and allergic conjunctivitis.

The bacterial conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes. The more acute pyogenic infections can be painful. Common bacteria responsible for non-acute bacterial conjunctivitis are Staphylococci, Streptococci, Haemophilus sp. Bacteria such as Chlamydia trachomatis or Moraxella can cause a non-exudative but persistent conjunctivitis without much redness. Cases of bacterial conjunctivitis that involve the production of membranes or pseudomembranes are associated with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, β-hemolyticstreptococci, and C. diphtheriae. Causes membrane formation in conjunctiva of non-immunized children[2].

The viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious since it spread through sneezing and Coughing .it could be accompany by upper respiratory track infections such as flu.

For the allergic conjunctivitis it's very common and it can be triggered by dust mites or pollen. Their most common symptom is itchy eye. If this is combined with rhinitis, the condition is termed "allergic rhinoconjunctivitis". The symptoms are due to release of histamine and other active substances by mast cells, which stimulate dilation of blood vessels, irritate nerve endings, and increase secretion of tears[2].

• In general the patients symptoms may vary from: Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid

• Increased amount of tears

• Thick yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes, especially after sleep

• Green or white discharge from the eye

• Itchy eyes

• Burning eyes

• Blurred vision

• Increased sensitivity to light [3]

Here we like to discuss swimming pool conjunctivitis. Know, this name can guide to you to chloride which is quite a part of the problem. This term houses many etiologies giddied mainly by viral "adinovirous" then Chlamydia infection.

Our study focus on covering the gap of knowledge of etiology, symptoms, complications and most importantly how to protect yourself and your family from it .

METHODS:

Our study is cross-sectional .conducted in the time interval from July 2016 to December 2016 "summer time". We targeted people aged from 21-30. Our applicant had to fill online survey related to study objectives.

RESULT:

First, we wanted to know if they were practicing a common risk factor for getting the infection .which is opining their eyes under the water. 32.71 % do open their eyes under the water. As a result of this practice 20.56 % of them had conjunctivitis. When we asked them about the cause of their problem 56.07% answered chloride.

In which chloride is a part of the problem.

These participant had other complains such as fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea and sore throat.

The other thing we wanted to know is how did they mange it 47.66 % used cold compressors while 22.43% had to use antibiotic for it.

DISSCUSSION:

Conjuctivitis can be defined as inflammation or infection to the conjunctiva. It could be caused by meny organisms or chemical materials in swimming pool conjuctivits its caused by a virus called the adeno virous and to less extend chlamydia infection Swimming pools can harbor many organism .especially if thy where in the outside. In this situation even the birds can contribute to their contamination .Using chloride can actually help in minimizing the growth of these organism. It has a protective effect if it's used in the right way .the most common cause of swimming pool conjunctivitis is a virous called adenovirous .In order to protect our-self, we need to improve the sanitations as well as the awareness of the common mistakes such as opining the eyes under the water and not wearing protective eye glasses .Furthermore not only the eyes can get affected. It can be associated with pharyngoconjunctivitis. In this case you will have fever, abdominal pain and Diarrhea. The management is simply by using cold compresses and lubricants. So it's basically a supportive care.

CONCLUSION:

We recommend campaigns in malls and schools to increase the level of awareness as well as the proper way to prevent it.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

To the best of our knowledge, no conflict of interest, financial or other, exist.

REFERENCES:

1. "Conjunctivitis," 2017. [Online]. Available: http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/conjunctivitis?sso=y.

2. "Conjunctivitis - Wikipedia," 2017. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjunctivitis#Bacterial.

3. "Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye) Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments of Conjunctivitis," 2017. [Online]. Available: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-health-conjunctivitis#1-3.

Received on 14.12.2016 Modified on 19.02.2017

Research J. Science and Tech. 2017; 9(2): 229-230.

DOI: 10.5958/2349-2988.2017.00040.7