Viral conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis is a highly contagious acute infection of the conjunctiva, usually caused by adenovirus.

Symptoms include irritation, lacrimation, photophobia and mucous or purulent discharge. The diagnosis is established clinically. Infection is self-sustaining, but severe cases sometimes require the appointment of glucocorticoids.

Causes of viral conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis may accompany a common cold and other systemic viral infections (including measles, as well as chickenpox, rubella and mumps). Isolated viral conjunctivitis is usually the result of infection with adenovirus or enterovirus.

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is usually the result of adenovirus serotypes Ad 5, 8, 11, 13, 19 and 37. Pharyngoconjunctival fever, as a rule, occurs under the influence of serotypes Ad 3,4 and 7. Outbreaks of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis associated with infection with enterovirus type 70, occur in Africa and Asia.

With common viral infections (measles, mumps, rubella, flu), there are often viral conjunctivitis.

[1], [2], [3], [4]

Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis

After an incubation period of 5-12 days, conjunctival hyperemia, the serous separation of one eye quickly spreads to the second. Follicles appear on the conjunctiva of the eyelids. Often enlarged and painful pre-limp lymph nodes. Many patients in the anamnesis had contacts with patients with conjunctivitis.

In severe adenoviral conjunctivitis, patients have severe photophobia and sensation of a foreign body. Pseudomembranes of fibrin, inflammatory cells on cartilage conjunctiva and / or focal inflammation of the cornea can reduce vision. Even after cure for conjunctivitis, residual corneal subepithelial opacities (multiple, coin-like, 0.5-1.0 mm in diameter) can be seen on the slit lamp for two years. The opacity of the cornea sometimes leads to a decrease in vision and severe photophobia.

Coronary conjunctivitis

In measles, children of preschool age are more likely to fall ill. The incubation period is 9-11 days. The temperature rises to low-grade figures. There is a rash on the skin of the body, spots on the mucous cheeks, on the conjunctiva of the eyelids. Symptoms of irritation of the conjunctiva, superficial keratitis can be expressed. Since measles decreases the body's resistance, other infections (tuberculosis, allergic herpetic conjunctivitis) can join. Against the background of measles and other infections, myopia progresses, strabismus, blepharitis, uveitis, optic neuritis, blindness can join. Measles gives outcomes in a rough corneal throat, sometimes with staphyloma.

Treatment symptomatic: the fight against secondary infection, the anticonvulsant drug - globulin - 1,5-3,0 intramuscularly, 2-3 injections with an interval of 2-3 days is introduced.

[5], [6], [7], [8]

Parotitis conjunctivitis

Parotitis - against a background of increased temperature salivary gland increases, develop:

• dacryoadenitis (acute orbital pain, edema, etc.);
• orchitis, pancreatitis, meningitis;
• possible optic neuritis;
• conjunctivitis, keratitis, scleritis.

There is no specific (paroxysmal) conjunctivitis. Usually caused by a secondary infection.

Prophylaxis is isolation of the patient, treatment is symptomatic.

Influenza conjunctivitis

Influenza conjunctivitis is the most polymorphous, little detached, hyperemia of the conjunctiva. Can join a bacterial, fungal infection. Gripposis conjunctivitis can be complicated by keratitis, uveitis, neuroretinitis.

Treatment of influenza conjunctivitis. Theobrofen - ointment 0,5% -pya, interferon, mydriatic.

Conjunctivitis caused by molluscum contagiosum

Mollusc - a filtering virus that causes characteristic lesions on the skin and less often on mucous membranes. It spreads by direct contact and occurs mainly in childhood. Molluscum is also often found in patients with AIDS. With ocular manifestations of the molluscan, other parts of the patient's body may be affected.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis caused by molluscum contagiosum

1. At the edge of the century, a small, pale, often with a waxy luster, a nodule that has an umbilical pull is formed.
2. Defeat can be missed if it is atypical in appearance or is at some distance from the edge of the eyelid.
3. Detachable is usually mild and slimy.
4. The follicular reaction of the conjunctiva is on the side of the lesion of the eyelid.
5. Rarely in patients with immune deficiency nodules of mollusks can appear on the bulbar conjunctiva.
6. With prolonged course, epithelial keratitis may develop, which in the absence of treatment leads to the formation of pannus.

Treatment of conjunctivitis caused by molluscum contagiosum consists in the destruction of the affected area of the eyelid by expression, excision, cryotherapy or cauterization.

[9], [10], [11], [12]

Diagnosis of viral conjunctivitis

The diagnosis of viral conjunctivitis is usually established clinically; for the sowing special tissue cultures are needed. Secondary bacterial infection is rare. However, if the symptoms correspond to bacterial conjunctivitis (for example, there is a purulent discharge), then smears from the eye should be examined microscopically and crops are planted onto the bacterial flora.

[13], [14]

Treatment of viral conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious, so precautions should be taken to prevent transmission (as indicated above). Children, as a rule, should be out of school until recovery.

Viral conjunctivitis can be cured spontaneously, lasts up to one week in uncomplicated cases and up to three weeks - in severe cases. They require only cold compresses for symptomatic relief. However, patients with severe photophobia or those with reduced vision may benefit from glucocorticoids (eg 1% prednisolone acetate every 6-8 hours). First, keratitis caused by the herpes simplex virus should be eliminated, since glucocorticoids can provoke its aggravation.