In this article, we will most closely examine viral conjunctivitis. The symptoms and treatment of this serious disease will also be studied by us. In general, conjunctivitis is called inflammation of the ocular mucosa, which usually causes an allergic reaction or infection (usually viral and less often bacterial).
Adults can get enterovirus, adenovirus (pharyngoconjunctival fever), herpetic, chlamydial, bacterial, allergic, chronic and acute conjunctivitis. In children, an adenoviral and bacterial form of the disease is quite common.
Varieties
- Keratoconjunctivitis is a combination of inflammation of the ocular mucosa with corneal disease (keratitis).
- Blepharoconjunctivitis is a combination of ordinary conjunctivitis with blepharitis (suppuration of the eyelids).
- Episcleritis is an inflammation that goes the same way as inflammation of the eye mucosa, but without lacrimation and secretions.
- Conjunctivochalasis was first diagnosed by Dr. Hughes in 1942. As a rule, this pathology is common among older people. It affects both one and the second eye. Symptoms at different stages of the disease are different: they are either absent, or severe pain, eye irritation, epiphora develops, ulcers, dry eye syndrome and subconjunctival bleeding occur.
How is viral conjunctivitis manifested? The doctors are testing symptoms and treatment now. For example, the pathophysiology of conjunctivalchalasis has not yet been studied. The treatment of the disease depends on the intensity of the symptoms. If nothing bothers a person, it is not required. In other cases, patients are prescribed moisturizing gels, fake tear preparations, antihistamines, instillations of corticosteroids, and so on.
It should be noted that if therapeutic treatment does not bring results, surgeons have to intervene: they excise the folds of the conjunctiva and apply absorbable suture material to the surgical wound. Quite recently, the Aesculapius began to use the amniotic membrane as well. Dr. Brod Baker and colleagues presented a clinical case of the use of fibrin glue, used to adapt the edge of the conjunctiva after excision of conjunctivochalase.
Etiology, pathogenesis
Everyone knows that conjunctivitis is a viral disease. Let's study its types:
- Adenovirus conjunctivitis a person becomes ill thanks to a virus that can be picked up by airborne droplets. The disease appears in the form of epidemic outbreaks, usually in schools and kindergartens (kindergartens).
- Acute conjunctivitis is contracted by infection with a Koch-Wicks wand, pneumococci, Morax-Aksenfeld's wand, gonococci, staphylococci, streptococci. An exogenous infection of the conjunctiva usually occurs, and autoinfection is possible. Predisposing factors here are overheating or hypothermia, myopia, conjunctival microtrauma, astigmatism, and infectious diseases. By the way, Koch-Weeks conjunctivitis (acute epidemic) is transmitted through the soiled hands of the wearer and infected objects. This disease appears in the form of epidemic outbreaks in the summer among babies living in hot countries. It is known that conjunctivitis caused by gonococci (blennorrhea) appears in newborns when the head passes through the birth canal of a mother who suffers from gonorrhea.
- People become ill with chronic conjunctivitis if they have a metabolic disorder, vitamin deficiency, ametropia, or chronic lesions of the lacrimal canals. This disease also appears when irritating factors act on the conjunctiva - smoke, dust, chemical air impurities.
- Allergic conjunctivitis is called inflammation of the conjunctiva, manifested by redness of the eyes, itching, swelling of the eyelids, photophobia, lacrimation.
Symptoms
What else is interesting viral conjunctivitis? Symptoms and treatment in children and adults deserve our closest attention. As a rule, in people suffering from this pathology, doctors observe hyperemia and edema of the conjunctiva, swelling of the eyelids, redness of the eye protein, lacrimation, photophobia.
If this is an allergic conjunctivitis, patients experience severe itching of the eyes, they develop a slight swelling of the eyelids, and the organs of vision begin to hurt. The chronic form retains only irritation and itching.
Let's see what the symptoms and treatment of viral conjunctivitis are. Photos of the affected organs of vision clearly show that this disease is very serious. In general, viral conjunctivitis usually appears when the upper respiratory tract is infected with herpes. The disease can also develop with sore throat or a simple cold. Each person has their own symptoms. This nuance depends on the immune system, the degree of infection and age.
It should be noted that such conjunctivitis very often appears in one eye, and then the infection moves to the second organ of vision. Pain appears in the corners, reddening of the vessels is observed, photophobia may appear, the conjunctiva acquires a bright red color (it is inflamed).
In general, adults should study viral conjunctivitis. Symptoms and treatment in children of this disease can cause a lot of trouble. For example, in the case of adenoviral conjunctivitis, the upper respiratory tract is affected first. The patient's body temperature rises, the lymph nodes in the ear swell (more often in babies). Doctors note scanty non-purulent discharge and moderate blepharospasm. Sometimes this disease is accompanied by the appearance of films and follicles (more often in babies).
Bacterial eye ailments
Bacterial conjunctivitis appears due to pyogenic (creating pus) bacteria. The first symptom is yellowish or gray, opaque, viscous discharge from the eyes. It is because of them that the eyelids can stick together, especially after sleep. Of course, this is not the most important sign of conjunctivitis.
Doctors say that bacteria such as Moraxella or Chlamidia trachomatis can cause non-exudative, but ongoing inflammation without severe conjunctival hyperemia. In some people, a disease of this kind is manifested only by a sensation of the presence of a foreign body in the eye.
The next symptom that distinguishes bacterial conjunctivitis is called the dryness of the damaged eye and the skin surrounding it. Pyogenic infections (acute) can also cause pain. Bacterial, like viral conjunctivitis, first harm one eye and then easily move to the second. Usually, symptoms occur after infection only on the third day.
Other conjunctivitis
We figured out the question of what is viral conjunctivitis. Symptoms and treatment in adults are generally straightforward. Do you know that there are conjunctivitis that appear as a result of exposure to poisonous and toxic substances on the eyes of a person? The basic symptoms in this case are pain and irritation in the eye when moving the gaze up or down. Itching and discharge, as a rule, are not observed. This is a special group of conjunctivitis, which is accompanied by severe pain.
Acute conjunctivitis is accompanied by purulent or mucous secretions, as well as a feeling of pain in the eyes. The blennorrheal form of the disease begins with serous-bloody discharge, and after three to four days the patient has impressive purulent masses. Here, the appearance of corneal ulcers, infiltrates.
Koch-Wicks disease is accompanied by the smallest multiple hemorrhages in the conjunctiva of the sclera, which swells and takes the form of triangular elevations within the borders of the palpebral fissure.
The ailment of Morax-Axenfeld is distinguished by a subacute and chronic course. It is usually localized in the corners of the palpebral fissure.
By the way, in case of chronic conjunctivitis, patients complain of burning, itching, eye fatigue, a feeling of “sand under the eyelids”.
Recent studies say that it is people with blue eyes who are at greater risk of developing conjunctivitis: they may have reduced vision for a long time, because their eyes are much more sensitive to light.
Causes
Now let's find out why people get viral conjunctivitis. Symptoms and treatment (the photos presented in the article perfectly demonstrate this) do not look very nice. So, most often this ailment is characterized by a viral nature. Other causes here are allergies, bacteria, dry eye syndrome and all kinds of irritants.
It should be noted that bacterial and viral conjunctivitis is very contagious. They move from one individual to another if personal hygiene rules are not followed. In general, it is better to hospitalize such patients or quarantine, otherwise all those with whom they contacted may get sick.
Treatment
We found out how contagious viral conjunctivitis is. Symptoms and treatment, if necessary, can be obtained from doctors. But we will try now to study this important point. As a rule, the cause of this disease is difficult to identify. Doctors recommend that all patients should wash their hands properly and follow other personal hygiene instructions so as not to infect others. Usually an ophthalmologist prescribes adequate therapy.
- Viral conjunctivitis. Symptoms and treatment are difficult to remember, but necessary. Doctors first recommend that patients use warm compresses and drops of fake tears. For the treatment of this disease, ophthalmic preparations are prescribed, the composition of which includes interferon recombinant type Alpha 2. Particularly known agents used in the fight against this disease are: Ophthalmoferon, Aktipol, Poludan. Doctors also recommend taking Acyclovir tablets up to five times a day and in the morning to cleanse the eyes with an aqueous emulsion of furatsilin. If the patient has a secondary bacterial infection, or if he needs the prevention of a damaged conjunctiva, prescribe drops containing antibiotics: Signicef, Ciprofloxacin.
- If conjunctivitis is caused by the herpes virus (herpes), the doctor prescribes drops of Ophthalmoferon and products containing acyclovir. In this case, it is urgent to go to the ophthalmologist, because procrastination threatens terrible troubles: you can completely lose your eyesight.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis usually does not require treatment, since they go away on their own. However, eye ointments or drops containing antibiotics can accelerate this process. Antibacterial drugs (topically) are prescribed only for diseases with abundant purulent discharge, and also when there are no characteristic symptoms of adenovirus infection (the appearance of follicles on the conjunctiva or an increase in lymph nodes).
- Allergic conjunctivitis appears in people when they come in contact with an allergen, to which the body experiences an increased sensitivity. To treat this type of disease, antihistamines are used in the form of eye drops or tablets. Such drugs relieve itching, but cause swelling of the eyelids and redness of the eyes. They act faster and dry their eyes less. And when using antihistamines, side effects appear: migraine, burning and slight pain in the eyes, insomnia. But discomfort can be reduced with drops of an artificial tear. In difficult cases, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs. Steroid eye drops are also prescribed for some patients with ongoing allergic conjunctivitis. In addition, mixed drugs made from artificial tears, diphenhydramine, interferon "Alpha 2" are prescribed for the treatment of this ailment.
Of course, no one likes viral conjunctivitis. How to treat this ailment, we probably examined as much as possible. It must be remembered that if an incident has already happened, and a person has contracted this unpleasant disease, you should not touch your eyes with your hands. It is important to observe personal hygiene, you need to use only your own towel and wash your hands thoroughly so as not to infect other family members. In general, viral conjunctivitis disappears within three weeks. It is possible that the treatment process can last even more than a month.
Children's conjunctivitis
So, we continue to further study viral conjunctivitis. We examined the symptoms and treatment in adults with this disease, and now we will get acquainted with childhood illness. It is very common among babies and is characterized by inflammation of the ocular conjunctiva. In general, any ailment is always easier to prevent than to watch the suffering of your child, torment him with annoying treatment and endless visits to doctors.
Children's acute viral conjunctivitis is usually associated with hypothermia of the child, as well as with allergic reactions or the common cold. So that this disease does not appear, you need to monitor the cleanliness of the baby's bed, his toys and the room, follow the rules of personal hygiene. Young children often need to wash their hands, and older children should be accustomed to regular self-care of their skin. The rooms of the children should be often aired, and the air should be humidified with special devices.
In order for viral conjunctivitis not to appear in children, the symptoms of which are very unpleasant, you need to provide the growing body with a full and fortified diet. Adults are required to monitor the cleanliness of the foods that the baby consumes. By the way, the child should have a personal towel, he should walk at least two hours a day. Parents should observe that during the walk their child does not come into contact with unhealthy children.
In general, tear fluid and eyelids are serious barriers to the growth of bacteria, viruses and infections in the eyes. But even they are powerless when the baby’s immunity weakens.
Symptoms in the smallest
Viral conjunctivitis of the eye in an adult or baby is easy to detect, since the signs of inflammation of the ocular conjunctiva are identical. However, kids react to this disease more vigorously: they appear lethargic, anxious, they begin to cry or be capricious. Very often the disease is associated with allergies, viral or bacterial infections.
Basic signs of conjunctivitis in babies: the child complains about the feeling of sand in the eyes and pain, lacrimation appears, purulent discharge, eyelids stick together after sleep. Most babies get worse sleep and appetite.
Viral conjunctivitis in adults is characterized by visual impairment (objects become fuzzy, blurry). In children of school age, discomfort, burning sensation, a sensation of the presence of a foreign body appears in the eyes.
And how do parents characterize children's viral conjunctivitis, symptoms and treatment? Reviews about this disease are very different from each other. However, most adults claim that you first need to rush to the ophthalmologist, who will find out what caused the inflammation in the baby’s eyes and prescribe an effective treatment.
Perhaps redness caused a small cilia that got into the eye, or another small particle, or, perhaps, an allergic reaction to any irritant appeared. Inflammation can also develop due to a more serious reason - increased intraocular or intracranial pressure.
How to bury a baby’s eyes?
If conjunctivitis appears in a baby who is not yet a year old, instillation should be carried out only with a pipette with a rounded end. The baby is laid on a flat surface without a pillow, but someone should hold its head. The lower eyelid needs to be pulled back and a few drops dripped. Thus, viral conjunctivitis can be cured. The drops themselves will be distributed over the eye, and the excess should be blotted with a gauze sterile cloth. Older babies are best taught to independently perform this procedure, as some do not like it when they touch their eyes.
It must be remembered that before use, the cooled drops need to be warmed in the hand. It is also prohibited to use expired preparations, without labeling, or if they have been stored open for a long time.
We hope that this article will help you learn to instantly recognize and treat viral conjunctivitis.