Ishita Roy

What Happens To That 0.01% Of Germs That Never Gets Killed?

Hand sanitiser

If hand sanitisers kill 99.99% of germs, then who are those 0.01% who survive? There are three major kinds of germs which remain active even when you have used your sanitiser. 

<h4><span rel="noindex">Norovirus</span></h4>

Among them, is the norovirus that causes <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diarrhoea">diarrhoea</a></span> and vomiting outbreaks in places like cruise ships and schools. It is superior to many other viruses because it has a protein capsid, which is resistant to the effects of alcohol. 

Norovirus is a group of viruses that causes common illnesses and is also very contagious. It is especially active in the colder month and comes back seasonally. The first norovirus outbreak occurred in Norwalk, Ohio, USA, in a school in 1968, this is where it gets it name from.

The next on the list is enterococcus faecium, and it lives in the gut. As per a 2024 study titled Enterococcus faecium: evolution, adaptation, pathogenesis and emerging therapeutics, published in <em>Nature </em>journal, it is a Gram-positive bacterium that is a core member of the intestinal microbiota of humans and animals and an opportunistic pathogen that causes life-threatening <span>infections</span>, particularly among hospitalized patients. It mutates in a way that it absorbs carbohydrates and forms a gooey, slime-like substance called the biofilm, which makes it resistant to alcohol.

Another one is clostridium difficile. This is responsible for causing horrendous diarrhoea and vomiting in hospitalised patients. It also has a remarkable ability to respond to environmental stressors including alcohol gel by going to sleep. It produces spores and allows all metabolic activity.

Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a type of <span>bacteria</span> that can cause colitis, a serious inflammation of the colon. Infections from C. diff often start after you've been taking antibiotics. It can sometimes be life-threatening.

Apart from the germs and pathogens, another reason why your label reads that it kills 99.99% is to avoid any legal hassles. If someone uses a specific product and falls sick, then the person cannot sue the company as the company did not give a 100% safety guarantee against the germs. 

A better way to be healthy is always to clean your hands with soap and water and wear gloves wherever is possible.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

disease

hand sanitiser

norovirus

virus

bacteria

infections

diarrhoea

What Is Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy? The Rare Brain Swelling In Kids That Is Linked To Flu

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If hand sanitisers kill 99.99% of germs, then who are those 0.01% who survive? There are three major kinds of germs which remain active even when you have used your sanitiser. NorovirusAmong them, is the norovirus that causes diarrhoea and vomiting outbreaks in places like cruise ships and schools. It is superior to many other viruses because it has a protein capsid, which is resistant to the effects of alcohol. Norovirus is a group of viruses that causes common illnesses and is also very contagious. It is especially active in the colder month and comes back seasonally. The first norovirus outbreak occurred in Norwalk, Ohio, USA, in a school in 1968, this is where it gets it name from.Enterococcus faeciumThe next on the list is enterococcus faecium, and it lives in the gut. As per a 2024 study titled Enterococcus faecium: evolution, adaptation, pathogenesis and emerging therapeutics, published in Nature journal, it is a Gram-positive bacterium that is a core member of the intestinal microbiota of humans and animals and an opportunistic pathogen that causes life-threatening infections, particularly among hospitalized patients. It mutates in a way that it absorbs carbohydrates and forms a gooey, slime-like substance called the biofilm, which makes it resistant to alcohol.Clostridium DifficileAnother one is clostridium difficile. This is responsible for causing horrendous diarrhoea and vomiting in hospitalised patients. It also has a remarkable ability to respond to environmental stressors including alcohol gel by going to sleep. It produces spores and allows all metabolic activity.Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a type of bacteria that can cause colitis, a serious inflammation of the colon. Infections from C. diff often start after you've been taking antibiotics. It can sometimes be life-threatening.Why Do You Label Read 99.99%?Apart from the germs and pathogens, another reason why your label reads that it kills 99.99% is to avoid any legal hassles. If someone uses a specific product and falls sick, then the person cannot sue the company as the company did not give a 100% safety guarantee against the germs. A better way to be healthy is always to clean your hands with soap and water and wear gloves wherever is possible.

what happens to that 0.01% of germs that never gets killed?

Health and Me

Tanya Dutt

Flu-linked brain swelling

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Influenza can look like a run-of-the-mill childhood illness, but in an occasional patient it can cause a life-threatening illness known as acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE). This isn't a normal fever or headache—it's a catastrophic neurologic emergency characterized by out-of-control <span>brain swelling</span> and an incessant immune attack.

A new JAMA review illuminates 41 pediatric cases of ANE in the U.S. from late 2023 through spring 2025. In nearly all cases, the patients had previously been healthy before developing acute and severe flu-like symptoms. Of these cases, 27% ended in death, and 63% of survivors had moderate to severe neurologic disability three months after the illness.

<h2>What Is Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy (ANE)?</h2>

ANE occurs when the body’s immune system goes into overdrive during an influenza infection. Dr. Thomas LaRocca, co-senior author of the study and pediatric critical care specialist at Stanford, describes it as “similar to the sepsis response” in which the immune system causes damage to the brain instead of fighting infection.

Typically, after a few days of flu symptoms—fever, congestion, vomiting—kids suddenly develop neurologic signs like seizures, altered mental status, or coma. In all 41 cases, children suffered significant brain swelling. 95% had fevers, while 68% experienced seizures.

ANE resembles the worst-case scenario of flu complications—fast, deadly, and difficult to treat once it spreads.

<h2>Pandemic-Level Numbers During Two Severe Flu Seasons</h2>

While ANE is rare historically, researchers identified 41 confirmed cases across 23 U.S. pediatric hospitals over two flu seasons, an unusually high incidence tied to aggressive influenza activity in 2023–2025.

The majority of children were 5 years old, previously healthy, and almost all infections were associated with influenza A (39 of 41), with only two cases attributed to influenza B. Disturbingly, only six children had been vaccinated against the flu that year—fewer than 16%, versus about 55% national pediatric vaccination coverage.

This stark gap raises a critical warning: even though ANE is rare, it’s heavily preventable through vaccination.

<h2>Why Timing and Early Treatment Is Important?</h2>

ANE progresses quickly. Nearly half of the fatal cases occurred within eight days of hospitalization; survivors spent an average of 22 days in hospital, with 11 days in ICU.

Treatment must start fast. As Dr. Keith Van Haren, pediatric neurologist at Stanford and co-author, stresses: early intensive care—combining steroids to calm the immune system and plasma exchange (replacement of a child’s plasma with donor plasma)—can significantly improve chances.

Despite ANE’s reputation as nearly always fatal, about 70% of survivors regained some mobility: 19 could sit, 16 could stand, and 13 could walk independently within three months—even after severe brain swelling.

Dr. LaRocca and Van Haren also point out that intensive neurocritical care, careful immunotherapy, and early support increase recovery odds even when the diagnosis appears grim.

ANE represents just one extreme of flu’s neurological impact. During the 2024–25 season, 13% of pediatric flu deaths involved encephalopathy or encephalitis (IAE), with ANE being the most severe subtype. Historically, the average rate has been around 9% of child flu deaths—ranging from 0% in the mild 2020–21 season to 14% in 2011–12.

These statistics remind us that while ANE is rare, brain complications from flu are not negligible—and they disproportionately affect young children under 5.

<h2>Why Vaccination Is The Best Prevention For Kids?</h2>

Both experts and study authors emphatically agree: prevention is better than cure.

“Vaccinate,” Van Haren said plainly. Not only does the flu shot reduce typical risks like respiratory failure—but it also prevents extreme complications like ANE. For children who survive one episode of ANE, vaccination becomes even more critical to avoid recurrence.

Given that only a small fraction of affected children had been vaccinated, these deaths and disabilities were arguably avoidable.

Here’s what families and healthcare providers should know:

<ul><li>Monitor flu symptoms closely—especially in kids who develop neurological signs like confusion or seizures.</li><li>Act early, don’t wait for symptoms to escalate. Ensure transfer to hospitals equipped for neurocritical care and plasma exchange.</li><li>Remember that ANE progresses fast—every hour counts.</li><li>If your child survives, rehabilitation is possible. Many children regain functional abilities despite initial severe outcomes.</li><li>Don't let hope fade early; survival is real when aggressive care is delivered promptly.</li></ul>

The unusual spike in ANE during the 2023–2025 flu seasons serves as a wake-up call to both the medical community and families: even previously healthy children are vulnerable. While ANE remains a rare complication, early recognition and intervention can dramatically alter its course.

More broadly, this work underscores the hidden dangers of influenza—and why simple preventive steps matter so much.

Flu-Linked brain swelling in children is rare but when it does strike, it can be fatal or leave lifelong disability. Vaccination, vigilant symptom awareness, and rapid access to advanced care are key to prevention and survival. In cases where the immune system spirals out of control, timely and aggressive treatments like steroids and plasma exchange can make the difference between recovery and tragedy.

kids health

flu in kids

brain swelling

flu complications

pediatric flu symptoms

flu vaccine

encephalitis children

fatal flu cases

Influenza can look like a run-of-the-mill childhood illness, but in an occasional patient it can cause a life-threatening illness known as acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE). This isn't a normal fever or headache—it's a catastrophic neurologic emergency characterized by out-of-control brain swelling and an incessant immune attack.A new JAMA review illuminates 41 pediatric cases of ANE in the U.S. from late 2023 through spring 2025. In nearly all cases, the patients had previously been healthy before developing acute and severe flu-like symptoms. Of these cases, 27% ended in death, and 63% of survivors had moderate to severe neurologic disability three months after the illness.What Is Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy (ANE)?ANE occurs when the body’s immune system goes into overdrive during an influenza infection. Dr. Thomas LaRocca, co-senior author of the study and pediatric critical care specialist at Stanford, describes it as “similar to the sepsis response” in which the immune system causes damage to the brain instead of fighting infection.Typically, after a few days of flu symptoms—fever, congestion, vomiting—kids suddenly develop neurologic signs like seizures, altered mental status, or coma. In all 41 cases, children suffered significant brain swelling. 95% had fevers, while 68% experienced seizures.ANE resembles the worst-case scenario of flu complications—fast, deadly, and difficult to treat once it spreads.Pandemic-Level Numbers During Two Severe Flu SeasonsWhile ANE is rare historically, researchers identified 41 confirmed cases across 23 U.S. pediatric hospitals over two flu seasons, an unusually high incidence tied to aggressive influenza activity in 2023–2025.The majority of children were 5 years old, previously healthy, and almost all infections were associated with influenza A (39 of 41), with only two cases attributed to influenza B. Disturbingly, only six children had been vaccinated against the flu that year—fewer than 16%, versus about 55% national pediatric vaccination coverage.This stark gap raises a critical warning: even though ANE is rare, it’s heavily preventable through vaccination.Why Timing and Early Treatment Is Important?ANE progresses quickly. Nearly half of the fatal cases occurred within eight days of hospitalization; survivors spent an average of 22 days in hospital, with 11 days in ICU.Treatment must start fast. As Dr. Keith Van Haren, pediatric neurologist at Stanford and co-author, stresses: early intensive care—combining steroids to calm the immune system and plasma exchange (replacement of a child’s plasma with donor plasma)—can significantly improve chances.Despite ANE’s reputation as nearly always fatal, about 70% of survivors regained some mobility: 19 could sit, 16 could stand, and 13 could walk independently within three months—even after severe brain swelling.Dr. LaRocca and Van Haren also point out that intensive neurocritical care, careful immunotherapy, and early support increase recovery odds even when the diagnosis appears grim.ANE represents just one extreme of flu’s neurological impact. During the 2024–25 season, 13% of pediatric flu deaths involved encephalopathy or encephalitis (IAE), with ANE being the most severe subtype. Historically, the average rate has been around 9% of child flu deaths—ranging from 0% in the mild 2020–21 season to 14% in 2011–12.These statistics remind us that while ANE is rare, brain complications from flu are not negligible—and they disproportionately affect young children under 5.Why Vaccination Is The Best Prevention For Kids?Both experts and study authors emphatically agree: prevention is better than cure.“Vaccinate,” Van Haren said plainly. Not only does the flu shot reduce typical risks like respiratory failure—but it also prevents extreme complications like ANE. For children who survive one episode of ANE, vaccination becomes even more critical to avoid recurrence.Given that only a small fraction of affected children had been vaccinated, these deaths and disabilities were arguably avoidable.What Parents Should Watch For?Here’s what families and healthcare providers should know:Monitor flu symptoms closely—especially in kids who develop neurological signs like confusion or seizures.Act early, don’t wait for symptoms to escalate. Ensure transfer to hospitals equipped for neurocritical care and plasma exchange.Remember that ANE progresses fast—every hour counts.If your child survives, rehabilitation is possible. Many children regain functional abilities despite initial severe outcomes.Don't let hope fade early; survival is real when aggressive care is delivered promptly.The unusual spike in ANE during the 2023–2025 flu seasons serves as a wake-up call to both the medical community and families: even previously healthy children are vulnerable. While ANE remains a rare complication, early recognition and intervention can dramatically alter its course.More broadly, this work underscores the hidden dangers of influenza—and why simple preventive steps matter so much.Flu-Linked brain swelling in children is rare but when it does strike, it can be fatal or leave lifelong disability. Vaccination, vigilant symptom awareness, and rapid access to advanced care are key to prevention and survival. In cases where the immune system spirals out of control, timely and aggressive treatments like steroids and plasma exchange can make the difference between recovery and tragedy.

what is acute necrotizing encephalopathy? the rare brain swelling in kids that is linked to flu

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Your heart might be keeping a secret from you—and it’s not a good one. According to new research led by Northwestern Medicine and published in JAMA Cardiology, many American adults have hearts that are biologically older than the number on their driver's license.

This isn't just a metaphor for feeling worn out or tired. It’s a real, measurable difference in cardiovascular health, and the implications are serious. Using a new “heart age” calculator based on American Heart Association data, researchers found that the average American’s heart is several years older than their actual age. For many, especially men, people of color, and those with lower income or education levels, the gap is even wider—sometimes by over a decade. So, how do you know how old your heart really is? More importantly, what can you do about it?

<h2>What Is “Heart Age” and Why It Is Important?</h2>

<span>Heart age</span> is a simplified way to express your cardiovascular risk. Traditional risk assessments—like the American Heart Association’s PREVENT equations—typically offer percentages: your doctor might say you have a 10% risk of a heart attack over the next 10 years. But these statistics can feel abstract and hard to act on.

Dr. Sadiya Khan, professor of cardiovascular epidemiology at Northwestern University and senior author of the study, believes translating that risk into an “age” makes it more relatable. Telling someone their heart is 60 when they’re only 45? That hits differently.

“The exciting thing about this tool is that there are a lot of things people can do,” Khan said in a statement. “The hope is that this empowers people to optimise their <span>heart health</span> for healthier aging and longer health spans.”

<h2>Alarming Trends Across Demographics</h2>

The researchers analyzed health data from over 14,000 U.S. adults aged 30 to 79 who had no prior history of cardiovascular disease. They used a publicly available, free online tool to assess heart age based on several inputs: blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status, diabetes, medications, and more. The results weren’t pretty:

<ul><li>Women had an average heart age of 55.4, despite having an average chronological age of just 51.3.</li><li>Men fared even worse, with an average heart age of 56.7 versus an actual age of 49.7.</li><li>The disparities grew starker across race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic lines:</li><li>Black men had hearts that were, on average, 8.5 years older than their chronological age.</li><li>Hispanic men followed closely at 7.9 years.</li><li>Black women had heart ages 6.2 years older than their actual age.</li></ul>

People with only a high school education or less were especially at risk, with nearly a third having hearts that were 10 years older than their birth certificates would suggest.

“This helps to highlight the need for more urgent action,” Khan said. “Identifying individuals who have an ‘older’ heart age can help prompt action to prioritise prevention in at-risk individuals.”

<h2>Why Your Heart Might Be Aging Faster Than You Are?</h2>

It boils down to a few key lifestyle and health factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet, and unmanaged diabetes.

These factors quietly and persistently damage the cardiovascular system. Over time, this wear and tear increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure—sometimes without obvious symptoms until it’s too late.

Khan and her team hope the heart age calculator will help make this silent damage more visible—and more actionable.

<h2>Can You Prevent Your Heart From Ageing?</h2>

Even if your heart is older than it should be, that’s not the end of the story. Cardiovascular aging isn’t fixed. In many cases, it can be slowed—or even reversed—with the right interventions. According to the researchers, key lifestyle changes that can bring your heart age closer to your real age (or even make it younger) include:

<ul><li>Quitting smoking</li><li>Improving diet (less sodium, more fruits and vegetables)</li><li>Increasing physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week)</li><li>Managing high blood pressure and cholesterol with medications when needed</li><li>Monitoring and treating diabetes effectively</li></ul>

But Dr Khan emphasizes that these actions aren’t just for those already diagnosed with heart disease. Younger adults, too, can benefit from understanding and addressing their heart age early—well before symptoms appear.

<h2>A Simple Online Tool With Major Potential</h2>

The free, public-facing heart age calculator developed by Khan’s team is already online and available to anyone. It takes just a few minutes and requires basic information like your age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and smoking status.

The idea is to encourage a shift from reactive to proactive care giving people a clearer sense of urgency before a heart event forces the issue.

“We hope this tool helps doctors and patients discuss risk for heart disease more effectively,” said Khan. “The important thing is that we have very good options available in our toolbox to help slow that aging down if we can identify it.”

Although this study focuses on the U.S., the implications are global. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. A tool like this, paired with access to routine health screenings and education, could help people across countries and cultures make better decisions about their long-term health.

In resource-limited settings where percentage-based risk assessments may not be widely understood, expressing risk through the lens of “heart age” could be a game-changer in preventive medicine.

Your heart might be working harder and aging faster than you realize but the power to slow—or even reverse—that process is in your hands. This new heart age calculator doesn’t just offer a number.

heart health

heart age

aging heart risks

heart disease prevention

biological heart age

early heart aging

lifestyle and heart health

cardiovascular risk factors

Your heart might be keeping a secret from you—and it’s not a good one. According to new research led by Northwestern Medicine and published in JAMA Cardiology, many American adults have hearts that are biologically older than the number on their driver's license.This isn't just a metaphor for feeling worn out or tired. It’s a real, measurable difference in cardiovascular health, and the implications are serious. Using a new “heart age” calculator based on American Heart Association data, researchers found that the average American’s heart is several years older than their actual age. For many, especially men, people of color, and those with lower income or education levels, the gap is even wider—sometimes by over a decade. So, how do you know how old your heart really is? More importantly, what can you do about it?What Is “Heart Age” and Why It Is Important?Heart age is a simplified way to express your cardiovascular risk. Traditional risk assessments—like the American Heart Association’s PREVENT equations—typically offer percentages: your doctor might say you have a 10% risk of a heart attack over the next 10 years. But these statistics can feel abstract and hard to act on.Dr. Sadiya Khan, professor of cardiovascular epidemiology at Northwestern University and senior author of the study, believes translating that risk into an “age” makes it more relatable. Telling someone their heart is 60 when they’re only 45? That hits differently.“The exciting thing about this tool is that there are a lot of things people can do,” Khan said in a statement. “The hope is that this empowers people to optimise their heart health for healthier aging and longer health spans.”Alarming Trends Across DemographicsThe researchers analyzed health data from over 14,000 U.S. adults aged 30 to 79 who had no prior history of cardiovascular disease. They used a publicly available, free online tool to assess heart age based on several inputs: blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status, diabetes, medications, and more. The results weren’t pretty:Women had an average heart age of 55.4, despite having an average chronological age of just 51.3.Men fared even worse, with an average heart age of 56.7 versus an actual age of 49.7.The disparities grew starker across race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic lines:Black men had hearts that were, on average, 8.5 years older than their chronological age.Hispanic men followed closely at 7.9 years.Black women had heart ages 6.2 years older than their actual age.People with only a high school education or less were especially at risk, with nearly a third having hearts that were 10 years older than their birth certificates would suggest.“This helps to highlight the need for more urgent action,” Khan said. “Identifying individuals who have an ‘older’ heart age can help prompt action to prioritise prevention in at-risk individuals.”Why Your Heart Might Be Aging Faster Than You Are?It boils down to a few key lifestyle and health factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet, and unmanaged diabetes.These factors quietly and persistently damage the cardiovascular system. Over time, this wear and tear increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure—sometimes without obvious symptoms until it’s too late.Khan and her team hope the heart age calculator will help make this silent damage more visible—and more actionable.Can You Prevent Your Heart From Ageing?Even if your heart is older than it should be, that’s not the end of the story. Cardiovascular aging isn’t fixed. In many cases, it can be slowed—or even reversed—with the right interventions. According to the researchers, key lifestyle changes that can bring your heart age closer to your real age (or even make it younger) include:Quitting smokingImproving diet (less sodium, more fruits and vegetables)Increasing physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week)Managing high blood pressure and cholesterol with medications when neededMonitoring and treating diabetes effectivelyBut Dr Khan emphasizes that these actions aren’t just for those already diagnosed with heart disease. Younger adults, too, can benefit from understanding and addressing their heart age early—well before symptoms appear.A Simple Online Tool With Major PotentialThe free, public-facing heart age calculator developed by Khan’s team is already online and available to anyone. It takes just a few minutes and requires basic information like your age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and smoking status.The idea is to encourage a shift from reactive to proactive care giving people a clearer sense of urgency before a heart event forces the issue.“We hope this tool helps doctors and patients discuss risk for heart disease more effectively,” said Khan. “The important thing is that we have very good options available in our toolbox to help slow that aging down if we can identify it.”Although this study focuses on the U.S., the implications are global. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. A tool like this, paired with access to routine health screenings and education, could help people across countries and cultures make better decisions about their long-term health.In resource-limited settings where percentage-based risk assessments may not be widely understood, expressing risk through the lens of “heart age” could be a game-changer in preventive medicine.Your heart might be working harder and aging faster than you realize but the power to slow—or even reverse—that process is in your hands. This new heart age calculator doesn’t just offer a number.

is your heart older than you are? us doctors device how to find out before it’s too late

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A 13-year-old boy walked into the emergency room one day with bloodshot eyes. He didn't have any other eye problems like blurry vision, extra tears, discharge, or pain. He also didn't have a fever or any eye injury. His parents mentioned that for four days before his eyes turned red, he had been vomiting and had diarrhea a lot. This started after they returned home from a trip to Mexico that lasted a few weeks. 

When doctors examined him, they found a healthy, awake boy who wasn't in any discomfort. Everything else about his body seemed normal, except for the very red eyes. The redness was in both eyes, underneath the clear outer layer, but there was no discharge, no sensitivity to light, and his eye movements and vision were fine. 

Doctors believed his red eyes were caused by the extreme vomiting and gagging he experienced. This pressure likely made tiny blood vessels in his eye burst. He was admitted to the hospital for severe stomach flu. As his vomiting and diarrhea got better, the redness in his eyes also went away by itself within a few days. 

<h2>A Scary Symptom But ‘Not So Scary’ Cause </h2>

According to the <span>American Academy of Ophthalmology</span> (AAO), a <span>subconjunctival hemorrhage</span> is simply one or more bright red spots on the white part of your eye. It happens because the clear covering of your eye, called the conjunctiva, has many tiny blood vessels. When one of these small vessels breaks, blood leaks out and gets trapped between the conjunctiva and the white of your eye (the sclera). This is what creates that noticeable red spot. 

Even though these red spots can look alarming, a subconjunctival hemorrhage is usually harmless and will often heal on its own. The main symptom of a subconjunctival hemorrhage is just the red spot itself. You might not even realize you have it until you look in a mirror. Sometimes, you might feel a very slight irritation in your eye, but usually, there's no pain. 

Most often, subconjunctival hemorrhages are caused by actions that briefly increase the pressure in your veins, such as: 

<ul><li>Coughing</li><li>Sneezing</li><li>Straining (like when lifting something heavy or having a bowel movement)</li><li>This quick jump in pressure can cause those tiny blood vessels to break.</li><li>Injuries to the eye, even something as simple as rubbing your eyes too hard, can also cause these spots.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Diabetes</li><li>High blood pressure</li><li> Taking medicines that thin your blood, like aspirin or certain blood thinners</li><li>Very rarely, a subconjunctival hemorrhage can be a sign of a blood clotting problem or another blood disorder affecting your whole body. </li></ul>

A subconjunctival hemorrhage typically heals by itself without any specific treatment. The time it takes to clear up depends on the size of the spot, usually ranging from a few days to a few weeks. If your eye feels a bit irritated, you can use artificial tears to help. If you find yourself getting these red spots often, your eye doctor will want to talk with you and might recommend further tests to figure out why. 

<h2>When These Red Spots Are A Cause Of Concern </h2>

AAO explains that it is easy to mix up a <span>hyphema</span> with a common, harmless condition called a subconjunctival hemorrhage, which is just a broken blood vessel in the white part of your eye. A subconjunctival hemorrhage doesn't hurt. However, a hyphema is usually painful and needs proper medical attention right away, or it could cause lasting vision problems. 

A hyphema is when blood collects in the front part of your eye. This happens in the space between the clear outer layer which is called the cornea and the colored part of your eye (the iris). The blood can cover some or all of your iris and the dark center of your eye which is the pupil. If you have a hyphema, your vision in that eye might be partly or completely blocked. Hyphema symptoms include, 

<ul><li>Blood in the front of your eye</li><li>Sensitivity to light</li><li>Pain in the eye</li><li>Blurry, cloudy, or blocked vision</li></ul>

Since most hyphemas are due to sports injuries, it's very important to wear proper eye protection when playing sports. Injuries from small, fast-moving balls, like in racquetball, can cause serious eye problems beyond just hyphema, such as cataracts, detached retinas, and glaucoma, which can even lead to blindness. However, it is treatable so it is best to visit a doctor to get it checked out 

Bleeding eyes

american academy of ophthalmology

Red spots in your eye

blood vessel breakage in eye

subconjunctival hemorrhage

hyphema

A 13-year-old boy walked into the emergency room one day with bloodshot eyes. He didn't have any other eye problems like blurry vision, extra tears, discharge, or pain. He also didn't have a fever or any eye injury. His parents mentioned that for four days before his eyes turned red, he had been vomiting and had diarrhea a lot. This started after they returned home from a trip to Mexico that lasted a few weeks. When doctors examined him, they found a healthy, awake boy who wasn't in any discomfort. Everything else about his body seemed normal, except for the very red eyes. The redness was in both eyes, underneath the clear outer layer, but there was no discharge, no sensitivity to light, and his eye movements and vision were fine. Doctors believed his red eyes were caused by the extreme vomiting and gagging he experienced. This pressure likely made tiny blood vessels in his eye burst. He was admitted to the hospital for severe stomach flu. As his vomiting and diarrhea got better, the redness in his eyes also went away by itself within a few days. A Scary Symptom But ‘Not So Scary’ Cause According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), a subconjunctival hemorrhage is simply one or more bright red spots on the white part of your eye. It happens because the clear covering of your eye, called the conjunctiva, has many tiny blood vessels. When one of these small vessels breaks, blood leaks out and gets trapped between the conjunctiva and the white of your eye (the sclera). This is what creates that noticeable red spot. Even though these red spots can look alarming, a subconjunctival hemorrhage is usually harmless and will often heal on its own. The main symptom of a subconjunctival hemorrhage is just the red spot itself. You might not even realize you have it until you look in a mirror. Sometimes, you might feel a very slight irritation in your eye, but usually, there's no pain. What Causes These Red Spots? Most often, subconjunctival hemorrhages are caused by actions that briefly increase the pressure in your veins, such as: CoughingSneezingStraining (like when lifting something heavy or having a bowel movement)This quick jump in pressure can cause those tiny blood vessels to break.Injuries to the eye, even something as simple as rubbing your eyes too hard, can also cause these spots.Less common causes include: DiabetesHigh blood pressure Taking medicines that thin your blood, like aspirin or certain blood thinnersVery rarely, a subconjunctival hemorrhage can be a sign of a blood clotting problem or another blood disorder affecting your whole body. A subconjunctival hemorrhage typically heals by itself without any specific treatment. The time it takes to clear up depends on the size of the spot, usually ranging from a few days to a few weeks. If your eye feels a bit irritated, you can use artificial tears to help. If you find yourself getting these red spots often, your eye doctor will want to talk with you and might recommend further tests to figure out why. When These Red Spots Are A Cause Of Concern AAO explains that it is easy to mix up a hyphema with a common, harmless condition called a subconjunctival hemorrhage, which is just a broken blood vessel in the white part of your eye. A subconjunctival hemorrhage doesn't hurt. However, a hyphema is usually painful and needs proper medical attention right away, or it could cause lasting vision problems. A hyphema is when blood collects in the front part of your eye. This happens in the space between the clear outer layer which is called the cornea and the colored part of your eye (the iris). The blood can cover some or all of your iris and the dark center of your eye which is the pupil. If you have a hyphema, your vision in that eye might be partly or completely blocked. Hyphema symptoms include, Blood in the front of your eyeSensitivity to lightPain in the eyeBlurry, cloudy, or blocked visionWhat Causes Hyphema? Since most hyphemas are due to sports injuries, it's very important to wear proper eye protection when playing sports. Injuries from small, fast-moving balls, like in racquetball, can cause serious eye problems beyond just hyphema, such as cataracts, detached retinas, and glaucoma, which can even lead to blindness. However, it is treatable so it is best to visit a doctor to get it checked out 

my eye is bleeding? what does it mean when you have a big red patch on the whites of your eye

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