Outbreak of conjunctivitis at Limerick college

STAFF at a third level college in the city are warning of an outbreak of conjunctivitis among their student population.

In the region of 30 students presented at the medical centre at Mary Immaculate College last week with symptoms.

The MIC medical centre has made the Students Union office aware of the situation in an effort to equip students with sufficient information about the condition.

“It is very contagious so if one person in the college gets it, it is easy to give it to other people but there are no long term consequences,” said a staff member at the medical centre.

“It is either a virus or a bacteria that the students pick up from each other,” she added.

Conjunctivitis is a common eye complaint that results in one or both eyes appearing to be red. Often this is associated with a watery or pus-like discharge from the eye. The eye may feel gritty and the vision may be slightly blurred.

“This is a common infection. Often it goes away by itself without the need for treatment. However antibiotic drops or ointment can give a small benefit. The symptoms last three to five days normally,” the staff member added.

“The main thing is prevention. Hand hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of this infection.”