Pink Eye and Orchids? :(

[Vivienne]

Errr... I did my weekly orchid inspection this morning then took my son to the doctor. He has pink eye and guess what... now I do too. Does anyone know if this (conjunctivitis) can be passed to plants? Yes... the orchids were all 'handled'. Should I treat them with anything?

[fred]

gee Vivienne I am sorry to hear that.

that is an interesting question there I am also keen for the answer to this

[robb]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjunctivitis doesn't mention anything other than humans being infected, but that doesn't mean plants can't be infected

[Vivienne]

I guess I'm going to find out. Let's hope not! I'll ask the doc as soon as I get my own appt.

[kmarch]

If I apply a little good ol'fashioned logic I'd conclude that since your orchids don't have any of the same tissues affected by pink eye, that they would be immune. Unfortunately I'm not an expert on orchid diseases and definitely not an expert on the inter-kingdom transfer of pathogens. I've never given it any thought until now. It'll be interesting to hear what the Doc says.

[Tobi]

Vivienne,
The most common form of conjuctivitis in children is caused by a bacteria
called Haemophilus. I don't think it is contagious to your orchids, at least
I don't recall having seen it in larger plant infections. If it is a viral conjuct.
I not certain about that. Just make sure you and your son use good hand
washing prevention and I sure it won't spread to the plants.

[Anton]

Vivienne, I think you mean Red Eye.

It is contageous to humans but not passed to plants.

Red Eye is a generic collection of conditions which cause imfalmation of the conjunctiva of the eye causing it to become red and imflamed and can result in plain discomfort to very painful depending on which bug has caused it.

Causes: allergic rhinitis, bacterial, viral, fungal, dry eye syndrome, blepharitis (imflamation of the eye lids, usaually noticable by crusting on the eyelids).

[Tobi]

Interesting Anton. I've never heard of conjunctiva of the eye being referred
to as "red eye" here in the states. The only reference to red eye infection is
in fish caused by Yersinia that I've heard of. I do get an occasional red eye
when I've dipped into the bottle a little too much.

[kmarch]

Maybe it's "red eye" in Oz and "pink eye" in the states?

Those wacky common names....different everywhere you go. now you know why I dislike using common names for orchids.

[Anton]

No Kevin, it is an internationally recognised term, you can look it up on Pub Med.

I have several training CDs on it from the States. If it was a General Practitioner who saw him, they do get terminology wrong. This has been my field for 35+ years.

[kmarch]

Well I lived in the US for almost 40 years and never heard the term "red eye" until today, from an Australian....so...there you have it.

[Anton]

Unless you have anything to do with Ophthalmology, you probably wouldn't have heard of it, most Ozzies haven't either, until they get it.

[Vivienne]

LOL - red eye, pink eye, conjunctivitis. I always thought it was pink eye. Red eye is a flight on a plane. LOL
It would make sense that it can't transmit to the 'chids - different tissues involved. Hey - maybe it'll make my white phals pink? Just kidding!

[prisana]

Originally Posted by Tobi

I do get an occasional red eye
when I've dipped into the bottle a little too much.

Tobi, hehe I can relate to that .

Back in Thailand it was referred to as 'red eye' as well. But here in the US , everytime my son gets it during flu season ( wiping his nose and then rubbing his eye ) the doc calls it pink eye or conjuntivitis. Red or pink they are both sooo uncomfortable.

Vivienne, sorry to hear you've caught it too. I've managed to get it once when my son came home with it.. I had to wear an eye patch for a couple of days ..and had to use a $90 a bottle eye drop..( there was like 5 drops in the whole bottle, I swear ) Hope it goes away soon and hey, if you get a pink Phal out of it..that's even better.