Is viral conjunctivitis contagious and how is it transmitted to other people? useful recommendations for prevention

When can you become infected?

With the bacterial form, it is easiest to become infected; moreover, treatment takes a very long time, and during this period the person is a carrier of the infection.
How many days after infection can you not contact a sick person? There are several forms of conjunctivitis. Their appearance is associated with the action of various pathogens. Most often, eye inflammation occurs due to an infection, bacteria or allergen.

The viral and bacterial forms are very contagious, unlike the allergic form, they are transmitted by airborne droplets.

Let's consider each type of disease separately.

Is conjunctivitis contagious? Infectious or viral conjunctivitis is spread by airborne droplets, and you can also become infected by sneezing, coughing, direct or indirect contact with a sick person, through dirty hands, objects and personal hygiene products

Since children are the least likely to adhere to precautionary measures, they are therefore more likely to get sick with this form

There are outbreaks of epidemic conjunctivitis. Most often this happens in crowded places where there are sick people.

In addition to the action of viruses, bacteria and pathogens, damage to the mucous membrane of the eyes can be caused by allergens such as pollen, chemicals, as well as colds and hypothermia. If you do not pay attention to the symptoms of conjunctivitis for a long time, you can acquire a chronic form.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=L4InfHucrSc

All information on the site is provided for informational purposes. Before using any recommendations, be sure to consult your doctor. Self-medication can be dangerous to your health.

Almost all conjunctivitis, with the exception of allergic conjunctivitis, is transmitted by contact. Bacteria and viruses from the patient's eyes fall onto the hands, then onto household items and remain there for a long time.

All people who use objects touched by the sick person risk infecting their eyes with this sticky infection. And conjunctivitis especially loves children - after all, they like to walk and touch everything, and then rub their eyes with unwashed hands.

There are several types of conjunctivitis, which can become epidemic. Most often they are caused by various viruses.

Keratoconjunctivitis

One of the factors for its immediate spread is that it is contagious during the incubation period. Symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis are a feeling of debris and cutting pain in the eyes, profuse lacrimation.

The first days of the disease are accompanied by the appearance of follicles and enlargement of the lymph nodes in front of the ears. After a week, pinpoint opacities appear on the cornea, which increases inflammation and photophobia.

It goes away within about a month, sometimes longer (up to 3 months). Corneal opacities may take 1-2 years to resolve.

Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis infection

The causative agent of this conjunctivitis is also one of the viruses that is easily transmitted by contact. It manifests itself acutely - the first symptoms are observed already 1-2 days after infection.

Usually two eyes are affected at once. The peculiarity of this type is multiple hemorrhages: from small dots to extensive spots or stripes.

If left untreated or untreated, hemorrhagic conjunctivitis can become chronic.

Adenoviral form of conjunctivitis

The most common route of infection is contact, but this species can also spread through airborne droplets. It mainly affects small groups of people.

It is easily transmitted among 2-7 year old children, especially in kindergarten and school, where children play with the same toys and use common objects. But you can catch it when visiting a pool, swimming in rivers, ponds or lakes.

It manifests itself acutely - follicles appear, but usually without purulent discharge or clouding of the cornea. With this conjunctivitis, there is an increased temperature, general weakness, and sore throat.

It takes about three weeks.

An eye disease that is caused by viruses or bacteria is called infectious conjunctivitis. How is it transmitted and what are its symptoms? What are the differences between the viral and bacterial variants? We will look at all this below.

If left untreated, infectious conjunctivitis can last for many months, causing discomfort. During treatment, cold compresses are usually used, and the eyes are wiped with a damp cloth.

Do not touch infected eyes with unwashed hands, otherwise treatment may take a long time. You definitely need to contact a specialist.

Is it contagious?

The highest rate of infection is characteristic of the adenovirus. The degree of contagiousness of an ophthalmic disease is determined by its etiology. The most dangerous and quickly spreading is adenoviral conjunctivitis, which is easily transmitted by airborne droplets and reaches the mucous membrane of the eye. When a person’s immunity is weakened at the time of introduction, within a few days the disease will manifest itself with characteristic symptoms. You can also become infected with conjunctivitis of a bacterial nature, but here you need to come into contact with objects that the carrier has touched. But the allergic form of conjunctivitis is non-contagious and does not pass from a sick person to a healthy person.

How is the disease transmitted?

Microscopic damage to the mucous membrane of the eye increases the risk of developing the disease, since an open door appears for germs, where no one asks for a ticket at the entrance.

Prolonged exposure to the sun without protective equipment is one of the factors that provokes the appearance of eye anomalies.

How is viral conjunctivitis transmitted?

The most dangerous type of disease. If timely treatment is not started, the disease can become chronic or cause serious complications of the visual organ. Viral conjunctivitis is divided into two categories, depending on the type of pathogen:

• Isolated. It is caused by a specific virus, such as shingles or coxsackie,
• Ocular. It is provoked by an infection, for example, influenza, chickenpox, measles, etc.

Patients with such a diagnosis are immediately hospitalized to minimize the risk of contact with healthy people. Initially, unpleasant symptoms appear in one eye, then move on to the second. From the moment of infection until symptoms are detected, three to twelve days pass.

Viral conjunctivitis is usually transmitted by airborne droplets through contact with a carrier of the infection.

Mechanism of transmission of infectious conjunctivitis

The disease develops against the background of overwork or hypothermia of the visual apparatus. The risk group includes people who do not follow hygiene rules or who frequently swim in pools. The acute form of the anomaly can affect the entire family at once, and even large groups (for example, a group in a kindergarten). The causative agents are staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria.

How is the purulent form transmitted?

A widespread form that develops when pyogenic infections penetrate the conjunctival cavities. The main symptoms of the disease: increased tearing of the organ of vision, redness of the eyeball, itching and burning.

You can become infected with the disease at the slightest contact with a sick person; a firm handshake is enough for the infection to spread to you.

How is the adenoviral type of disease transmitted?

The anomaly is transmitted by airborne droplets. The first signs appear in acute form, before the inflammatory processes reach the organ of vision, the upper respiratory tract is affected, body temperature rises, intolerance to bright light appears, redness and swelling of the eyelids are observed.

Pathogens

Depending on the nature of the infection, bacterial, viral, and allergic conjunctivitis are distinguished in medicine.

If the disease is of a bacterial nature, then damage to the eye organ in adults may be associated with staphylococci, pneumococci, streptococci, Escherichia coli, gonococci, diphtheria and Koch bacilli. Viral conjunctivitis is characterized by the presence of adenoviruses and herpes viruses in the body.

If we talk about allergic conjunctivitis, the manifestation of symptoms of the disease is not associated with infection by bacteria and viruses, but with the ingestion of irritants that cause an immune response in the form of allergies. Medicines, cosmetics, household chemicals, dust, animal hair, and so on can provoke allergic inflammation of the eye.

Treatment of purulent conjunctivitis in adults

An integrated approach is needed to treat the disease. Antibacterial drugs (Albucid, Ciprofloxan) must be prescribed. Before applying the ointment to the affected eyelid, treat it with Furacilin solution or chamomile decoction.

To get rid of unpleasant symptoms, purchase Visine or Artificial Tear eye drops; they will moisturize the eyelids and prevent them from sticking together. Do not use tight bandages under any circumstances, you will only make your situation worse!

Immunologist Andrey Prodeus will talk about the treatment of conjunctivitis in the video.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ckN1-Rubzyc

Medication

The main drugs aimed at treating purulent inflammation are Actipol, Albucid, Oftalmoferon. The ointment is placed behind the affected eyelid and left overnight to enhance the antibacterial effect. Treatment is continued until the symptoms of the disease are completely eliminated.

Staphylococci are highly resistant to drugs, so fluoroquinolones (for example, Ofloxacin ointment 0.3%) are used to eliminate conjunctivitis caused by such bacteria. Children should not be given antibacterial drops that contain antibiotics.

How to treat purulent conjunctivitis in adults (the order of therapy should not be violated in any case):

• Every day after waking up, clean your eyes of accumulated pus. A weak solution of potassium permanganate is suitable for these purposes. Soak a swab in it or use a clean syringe without a needle. You need to rinse the affected eye several times during the day when pus appears;
• Every hour (or according to the individual recommendations of the ophthalmologist), instill the drug prescribed by the doctor;
• Before going to bed, place tetracycline ointment in the conjunctival sac.

When the acute stage of the disease has passed, the drops can be instilled six times a day.

ethnoscience

Grandmother's recipes effectively fight purulent conjunctivitis, if it is not advanced.

• Make lotions from chamomile infusion four times a day. To do this, pour a tablespoon of dried flowers into a glass of boiling water and let it brew;
• The most effective and affordable way is lotions made from black or green tea. Brew a weak drink, cool and use for compresses;
• Take fresh dill, wash it well and squeeze out the juice. Then soak gauze or a cotton pad in it and apply it to your eyelids, leave for fifteen minutes. An infusion of greenfinch seeds effectively fights purulent inflammation. To prepare it you will need a glass of boiling water and a teaspoon of dill seeds;
• Rinse your eyes with rosehip decoction. Pour a glass of water over a couple of crushed berries and boil for ten minutes. After the infusion has cooled, it can be used;
• Prepare a mask from raw potatoes. Grate the fruit and combine it with egg white, apply the mixture to the eyelids for fifteen minutes;
• Eye drops can be prepared at home. Combine one part honey with two parts water, mix everything well and bury it. The product is also suitable for compresses; store the composition in the refrigerator;
• Lubricate your eyelids, wash your eyes, prepare lotions and drink - all this can be done with plant juices. Juice made from parsley and carrots in a ratio of 1:3 works well for purulent conjunctivitis. Drink it three times a day, one hundred grams before meals.

Contact-household method

Viruses and bacteria are also easily transmitted directly - through contact between people or indirectly through common objects - furniture, household appliances, toys, dishes, cutlery, hygiene items, etc. It’s not for nothing that, for example, bacterial conjunctivitis is also called “the disease of dirty hands.” As soon as you touch an infected surface or thing, say hello to the carrier of the virus, and then touch your eyes and mouth with unwashed hands, in most cases, conjunctivitis becomes infected - viral or bacterial in various forms. We have described how ocular conjunctivitis is transmitted in adults and children. It is clear why these diseases often become epidemic, especially among preschool children. Children in kindergarten use shared toys, may wipe their hands with one towel, or may not wash their hands after a walk unless adults supervise this. For these reasons, as well as due to children’s weak immunity, children under seven years of age often suffer from conjunctivitis. If an epidemic occurs in the garden, a quarantine is declared, which can last up to 14 days. Sanitary and hygienic treatment of all surfaces with disinfectants is carried out inside the premises. Sick children do not attend kindergarten at this time, remaining at home until they recover. During the treatment period, it is important to follow some rules that will help quickly eliminate the symptoms of eye pathology.

Temperature with conjunctivitis

Often eye disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature. According to experts, this is a normal reaction of the body to a foreign pathogen. Thus, he begins to fight the disease. The immune system activates the production of interferon, which should stop the development of inflammatory processes.

Before lowering the temperature, it is necessary to determine the form of conjunctivitis. Antipyretic drugs can be given if the body temperature has not reached 38 degrees and the child experiences convulsions. You can also give a tablet if the temperature is above 38 degrees and your general condition is poor.

You should not wrap your child in warm blankets or put a lot of clothes on him. It is necessary to maintain the baby’s psychological state in a normal manner. To do this, you need to have fun and play with the child in every possible way so that he does not cry. You need to give him as many warm drinks as possible in the form of teas and herbal infusions.

Treatment of pathology

Since conjunctivitis is transmitted quickly from a carrier, during the period of therapy it is necessary to isolate the patient from others, provide him with separate linen, dishes, and hygiene products.

Drugs for treatment are selected only by an ophthalmologist. This will prevent you from becoming infected and preventing infection of another family member. The treatment regimen and method of use of medications are prescribed by a doctor; self-medication is prohibited. Groups of drugs used to treat different forms of conjunctivitis are:

• antibiotics;
• antiviral;
• antihistamines;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• glucocorticosteroids;
• multivitamins.

As an auxiliary therapy, it is useful to use natural remedies prepared at home. Herbal infusions and decoctions have a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect, which are recommended to be used as a basis for lotions, compresses and rinses. The list of medicinal herbs is as follows:

• chamomile;
• lingonberry leaves;
• St. John's wort;
• sage;
• cottonweed;
• centaury;
• yarrow;
• calendula;
• motherwort;
• series.

How to avoid getting conjunctivitis?

The rate of infection depends on several factors:

• General well-being of a person. The stronger his immune system, the higher the body’s defense and, accordingly, the lower the chance of contracting the disease;
• Type of pathology;
• Method of infection. As a rule, the first signs appear an hour after infection. It is recommended to visit the clinic on the same day, since the condition may worsen within a day.

Transmission rate, complications

There is a misconception that pathogenic microorganisms take time to jump from a sick person to a healthy one. This is wrong! It only takes them a second to infect you. The anomaly also develops at a rapid pace, in some cases, primary symptoms appear an hour after contact with an infected person.

If you ignore the disease, hoping that in a week it will go away on its own, destructive processes will begin in the visual system that cannot be corrected. Tissues are affected, ophthalmological abnormalities are activated, visual acuity decreases, and the risk of blindness increases.

Prevention of inflammation of the conjunctival membrane of the eye

If infectious conjunctivitis is transmitted from a patient to a healthy person, then preventive measures must be taken to exclude infection.

Now we know who causes infectious conjunctivitis, we also know the routes of transmission. Thanks to this, it is possible to formulate rules for the prevention of this disease:

• Maintain personal hygiene;
• Wash vegetables and fruits before eating;
• Do not use other people's items;
• Avoid crowded places during widespread flu outbreaks and take a prophylactic dose of antiviral medications;
• Do not come into physical contact with a person whose conjunctival inflammation is bacterial;
• Drink only purified water specifically intended for drinking;
• Do wet cleaning daily to remove dust from surfaces;
• Ventilate living areas and, if possible, provide access to sunlight.

There are contagious and non-contagious forms of conjunctivitis. Only infection caused by bacteria or viruses can be transmitted. Moreover, you can catch inflammation of the conjunctival membrane even from a person who does not have eye problems, since the same pathogens can cause different diseases. So, from a patient with shingles you can become infected with chickenpox or herpetic conjunctivitis: these diseases are caused by the same virus. Take preventative measures to maintain eye health and sharp vision.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=d7rJ0262_Qw

Prevention of infection?

You can reduce the likelihood of contracting conjunctivitis by following basic rules:

• Wash your hands thoroughly after visiting public places and before each meal;
• Do not touch your eyes or rub them with dirty hands. For such purposes, it is best to use a scarf;
• Change of bed linen - at least once a week, change of face and hand towels - every 2-3 days, and during the period of viral infections - every day;
• Wash items at the highest possible temperature with the addition of good detergents;
• Using other people's glasses and other accessories and cosmetics that come into contact with the skin is prohibited;
• Choose high-quality lenses for your eyes and carry out proper daily care;
• Avoid contact with infected people;
• Maintain immunity at a high level. Stress, frequent colds, vitamin deficiency, lack of physical activity are additional risk factors for potential infection.

Useful video

Prevention and treatment of viral conjunctivitis:

Time required to treat an allergic form of the disease

The allergic form of the disease is diagnosed in approximately 20% of the population; it is caused by allergen irritants, both external and internal. Sometimes this form of the disease is caused by taking certain medications. The peculiarity is that two eyes are affected at once, the course is not the most severe, but long-lasting. Atopic conjunctivitis is not contagious, but unpleasant, so it should also be treated.

All prescriptions for this form of the disease are made by an ophthalmologist together with an allergist or dermatologist.

It is important to determine exactly what causes the disease, take into account all the accompanying symptoms, the general condition of the patient, and only then determine a treatment regimen. It consists of several stages:

1. To begin with, you should exclude any contact with the allergen irritant.
2. Then a course of complex therapy is prescribed, including the use of antihistamine eye drops and herbal remedies for oral administration.
3. For severe allergic conjunctivitis, corticosteroid drugs are prescribed. They are used only in the most severe cases, when conventional antihistamines have not given the expected result.

The full course of therapy may take up to 10–14 days.

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Types of disease

Experts distinguish three main forms of conjunctivitis depending on the source of the inflammatory process: viral, bacterial and allergic. Not only the method of treatment, but also the safety of others depends on correct diagnosis, since infectious forms of the disease are contagious to other people and quickly spread in groups.

Bacterial conjunctivitis

About 30% of cases of conjunctivitis are bacterial in nature and are caused by pathogenic microorganisms entering the mucous membrane of the eyes. The most common causative agents of infection on the organs of vision are:

• staphylococcus (in newborns and infants up to one year - Staphylococcus aureus);
• streptococcus;
• mycoplasma;
• chlamydia;
• Trichomonas.

Conjunctivitis caused by staphylococci

The bacterial form of conjunctivitis does not spread so quickly within a group, but is still contagious, therefore, when cases of the disease are detected, it is necessary to disinfect the room in which the patient was for a long time (school classroom, work office, group in a kindergarten), treat common objects and isolate the infected person.

You can distinguish a bacterial infection from a viral one by its characteristic symptoms. The main difference is the formation of thick yellow pus (with gonorrhea, green discharge may appear). In the morning, dense crusts form on the patient’s eyelids, which are dried purulent contents. They can be easily removed using a cotton swab moistened with boiled water or strong tea.

Pneumococcal conjunctivitis

Other symptoms of bacterial eye damage include general signs:

• itching and burning in the eyes;
• increased temperature (not found in all cases);
• weakness and general malaise;
• lacrimation.

The temperature with bacterial conjunctivitis can rise to 38 degrees, but about half of the cases of the disease occur against the background of normal or slightly elevated (to subfebrile values) body temperature.

Treatment of bacterial conjunctivae

Viral conjunctivitis

In the vast majority of cases, the disease is viral in nature and is caused by various groups of viruses: adenoviruses, enteroviruses, herpes virus, etc. The incubation period ranges from 3 to 12 days. During this period, the person is already infectious to others, but signs of the disease have not yet appeared. It is with the long incubation period that doctors associate the high rate of spread of viral conjunctivitis within groups.

The symptoms of the viral form of the disease differ from the bacterial type, so diagnosis usually does not cause difficulties. Signs of viral conjunctivitis include:

• clear discharge from the eyes;
• painful sensations in bright light;
• a feeling of heaviness and a feeling of “sand” in the eyes;
• redness of the eye sclera and white membranes;
• burning and tingling in the eyes;
• clouding of the cornea of ​​the eye.

Treatment of viral conjunctivae

Allergic conjunctivitis

The allergic type occurs in the patient when interacting with allergens. A similar reaction can occur to cosmetics, lens solutions, and some medications. Cleansers and skin care cosmetics can also cause irritation of the conjunctiva and the development of an inflammatory process. Less commonly, manifestations of allergies on the organs of vision occur when consuming certain products or contact with household dust, pollen and animal hair (systemic allergens).

Treatment of drug-induced conjunctivitis

The main symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are redness, itching and watery eyes. In some cases, these symptoms may be accompanied by rhinitis: nasal congestion, sneezing and difficulty breathing.

Treatment of this form of the disease involves taking antihistamines and local remedies in the form of ointments and drops to eliminate the symptoms of irritation.

Treatment of spring conjunctivitis

How does infection occur in children?

In children, symptoms of eye damage may appear as concomitant with other infectious diseases and colds.

A group of children is a favorable environment for the transmission and development of the disease due to the children’s contact and close interaction.

The incubation period for viral conjunctivitis is from 4 to 12 days. It may have the following manifestations:

• Alternate redness of both eyes. The infection quickly spreads to the healthy eye;
• The child begins to scratch his eyes and is afraid to look at the light;
• Tearfulness increases;
• There is swelling of the eyelids;
• Lymph nodes enlarge.

Features of transmission of viral conjunctivitis

70% of patients with conjunctivitis suffer from the viral form of this disease. This prevalence of viral infection is not accidental: there are a lot of pathogens (varieties of the virus), and the routes of infection are so simple that it is impossible to completely eliminate them in society.

There are two types of inflammation of the conjunctiva of a viral nature:

• Isolated conjunctivitis. It develops against the background of viruses localized only on the conjunctival membrane of the eye. The remaining organ systems remain unaffected. The causative agents can be viruses: Coxsackie, herpes zoster, herpes simplex, adenoviruses.
• Conjunctivitis as a complication. It develops when an infection spreads inside the body, initially causing another disease, and then affecting the organs of vision. So, inflammation of the conjunctiva can occur against the background of chickenpox, influenza, rubella, measles or mumps.

Viral conjunctivitis is transmitted by airborne droplets or by direct contact with a patient. Since modern man is always among people, it is difficult to avoid infection: pathogens fly in space in tiny droplets of mucus that enter the air during coughing or sneezing. You can also become infected through contact with an object that a sick person has recently held in their hands (or sneezed near it).

Viruses live in the external environment for a relatively short time: from several hours to several weeks. It depends on many factors. But the most “tenacious” viruses were the Coxsackie viruses. They live in wastewater and persist even after treatment for two years. If you drink this water, you can become infected. This type of transmission of infection is called waterborne.

Main routes of transmission

The ways in which this disease spreads are varied, so the contagiousness of some types of conjunctivitis is high. Infection occurs in the following ways:

• Airborne. In this case, pathogenic microbes spread through the air, penetrate into the mucous membrane and begin active life there.
• Contact and household. To become infected, it is enough to shake the patient’s hand and then rub the eye or use infected objects, for example, a towel, cosmetics, or a handkerchief.

People with weak immune systems are most susceptible to the disease. These transmission routes are the main ones, but there are predisposing factors that can lead to infection:

• failure to comply with personal hygiene rules;
• unprotected sex life;
• decrease in the body's defenses.

Specific signs of conjunctivitis

Bacterial inflammation makes itself felt by purulent “tears” of pale yellow and sometimes green color. Pain syndrome develops.

There are also specific signs of the disease

Viral conjunctivitis often accompanies influenza and other lesions of the upper respiratory tract of the same etiology. There is moderate secretion of tear secretion and mucus, hypersensitivity of the eyes to bright lighting, and enlargement of regional lymph nodes. In some cases, follicles or pseudomembranes may form on the inner surface of the eyelids.

Allergic inflammation of the conjunctiva is accompanied by unbearable itching, profuse lacrimation, runny nose and cough, and sometimes atopic eczema.

Allergic conjunctivitis

The manifestations of fungal conjunctivitis depend on the type of pathogen. Actinomycosis causes purulent discharge from the eyes, blastomycosis causes the formation of films of gray or yellow shades, candidiasis causes epithelioid and lymphoid nodules, and aspergillosis causes redness of the mucous membranes and inflammation of the cornea.

Fungal conjunctivitis is provoked by various pathogenic fungi

With conjunctivitis caused by the influence of chemicals, pain occurs when moving the gaze, closing and opening the eyelids.

Can conjunctivitis be transmitted from person to person?

The mucous membrane of the eye (conjunctiva) becomes inflamed as a result of irritation by allergens, bacteria or viruses. Most cases of conjunctivitis in adults

is caused by adenoviruses, and a small proportion are caused by bacterial pathogens.

The disease is highly contagious and easily passes from a sick person to a healthy one.

Get infected with conjunctivitis

possibly by airborne droplets and through direct contact with the patient, and the incubation period can last up to 10 days.

Short description

Conjunctivitis

called an inflammatory process that affects the inner lining of the upper or lower eyelid. The pathology can occur in isolation or be complicated:

• inflammatory reaction of the eyelids - blepharoconjunctivitis;
• damage to the cornea - keratoconjunctivitis.

Sometimes the disease is not accompanied by the characteristic lacrimation and discharge from the eyes, which is one of the types of pathology and is called episcleritis.

Get conjunctivitis

possible after being in crowded places with an unfavorable epidemiological situation in the midst of an increased incidence of colds and viral pathologies, as well as in close contact with a sick person.

Inflammation may not appear immediately. The risk of developing inflammation persists for one week. At the same time, having noticed the initial symptoms, you should not neglect a visit to the doctor and treatment of conjunctivitis

.
In the absence of adequate therapy, conjunctivitis in an adult
can become chronic and occur with alternating periods of exacerbation and remission.

Depending on the duration of conjunctivitis

distinguished
as
acute and chronic.

The acute form is characterized by severe symptoms and can appear as

secondary pathology in infectious diseases caused by pneumococci, gonococci, Koch-Wicks bacillus and other microorganisms.
Infection occurs through poorly washed hands and contaminated objects.
At the same time, there is a tendency towards a general decrease in immunity under the influence of provoking factors: hypothermia, overheating, weakness after illness, as well as microtrauma of the eye. Chronic conjunctivitis adult

a person gets sick after improper
treatment
of an acute inflammatory reaction.

The course of the disease can be prolonged due to vitamin deficiency due to poor nutrition, regular eye irritation from dust, smoke or volatile chemicals.

In addition, chronic pathologies of the upper respiratory tract (sinusitis, tonsillitis, rhinitis) are accompanied by conjunctivitis

.

Clinical manifestations

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye has various manifestations, the severity and diversity of which depend on the causative agent of the disease, the age and general condition of the patient. Common signs of adult conjunctivitis

are:

• swelling of the eyelids and conjunctiva;
• redness of the eyeball and mucous membrane of the eye;
• involuntary lacrimation;
• fear of bright light.

Depending on the pathogen, the general clinical picture may be accompanied by discharge of pus, which is produced by pathogenic microorganisms, and severe itching against the background of an allergic reaction. Conjunctivitis in adults

may cause a painful reaction,
which
can be expected with inflammation caused by poisonous or toxic substances.

When infected with viral conjunctivitis

manifestations of an ophthalmic disease are complemented by signs of a respiratory disease: pain in the tonsils, rhinitis, mild hyperthermia. With viral etiology, inflammation often takes a bilateral course.

Degree of danger of infection

How high is the risk of getting conjunctivitis

, is determined by the causal factor. The greatest susceptibility is noted to the viral form.

The pathology spreads quickly, and the pathogen easily penetrates the mucous membrane of the eye.

If a person has good immunity, macrophages are able to independently repel a viral attack and prevent the development of conjunctivitis as

infections.
When the defenses are weakened, the introduction of the pathogen causes an active release of inflammatory enzymes and the further development of conjunctivitis
.

As a rule, in such cases proper treatment

, which is prescribed after determining the type of irritating agent. Less susceptibility is observed when being near a patient suffering from a bacterial form of inflammation.

The pathology is not transmitted through the air, so simple precautions will help protect you from the disease:

• frequent hand washing;
• use only personal scarves, towels, and cosmetics;
• strengthening the immune system through a balanced diet and taking vitamins.

It has been proven that conjunctivitis

Elderly people are more likely to get sick, in whom numerous ophthalmological diseases are added to the weakness of protective reactions, resulting
in
greater sensitivity to microorganisms.

Treatment methods

In most cases , conjunctivitis

treated
at home
. Therapeutic measures are prescribed by a doctor after examination and laboratory diagnostics.

Self- treatment

on the advice of friends or advertised
drops
is unacceptable.

At best, incorrect actions will not give the expected result, and at worst, they will lead to worsening inflammation and protracted treatment

.
Considering that conjunctivitis
can easily be spread to others, the patient should be isolated if possible. During illness, individual dishes, bed linen and personal care products are provided, which are used only by the sick person. If signs of rhinovirus infection are present, it is recommended to wear a mask and replace it every 3 hours.

A person who carries out treatment for conjunctivitis

(instills
drops
, wipes the patient’s eyes with medicinal solutions), must wash his hands not only before the procedure, but also after it.
Personal preventive measures should be observed for the entire period while conjunctivitis is being treated at home
.

Medicines

To quickly cure conjunctivitis

,
treatment
should be prescribed by a qualified ophthalmologist.
Only a medical specialist has sufficient knowledge and experience to prescribe adequate treatment
.

therapy for adults

includes:

• prescribing general therapy with tablet or injection forms of antibacterial or antiviral properties;
• use of eye drops
  or ointments for topical action;
• washing the mucous membrane with antiseptic solutions.

In severe forms, when pus enters the lacrimal sac, it is prescribed to be washed, which is carried out in a medical institution. In addition, in some cases, injections into the conjunctiva may be required, which are performed by the doctor after cleansing the eye.

Washing

Remove conjunctivitis at home quickly

The procedure of washing the conjunctiva with a solution that has anti-inflammatory properties will help.
Usually the remedy is prepared in a pharmacy according to a doctor's prescription, but it is possible to prepare medicine for the treatment of conjunctivitis
yourself at home.

In most cases, before topical treatment

The surface of the conjunctiva must be washed.
This measure is necessary both
to cleanse the inner lining of secretions and to accelerate tissue regeneration after inflammation. Most often, a furatsilin solution is prescribed for disinfection procedures.

To prepare an antiseptic, you will need to dissolve 1 tablet of Furacilin in 100 ml of water. Treatment

will be effective if the procedure is performed correctly.

Rinsing can be done using a syringe or pipette. To do this, a freshly prepared solution, heated to body temperature, is directed in a thin stream from the outer corner of the eye to the inner one.

In this case, you need to make sure that the solution does not get on the eyelids of the other eye.

For the treatment of conjunctivitis

The procedure must be repeated several times throughout the day.
After rinsing with a cotton pad, carefully remove any remaining pus or serous discharge before instilling drops
or
treating
with ointment.

Topical eye remedies

Forms of drug release for direct action on the inflamed conjunctiva help to cure

any
conjunctivitis
, no matter what form it belongs to.

For local treatment of conjunctivitis at home

Drops
and eye ointments are suitable

Medicines contain various active ingredients that have antifungal, antibacterial, antihistamine or vasoconstrictor effects.

The modern pharmaceutical industry provides a large selection of eye drops.
How to treat conjunctivitis in adults
is determined by the doctor.

In addition to liquid forms, eye ointments show good effectiveness. They are usually prescribed for application to the inflamed mucous membrane before bedtime. How to treat conjunctivitis in adults

and which ointments can be determined after a bacterial study. Uncontrolled use can lead to the transition of the inflammatory process to the chronic stage.

To cure conjunctivitis

quickly, it is recommended to place the ointment behind the lower eyelid after rinsing with an antibacterial solution.
For bacterial forms, an ointment with an antibiotic (Tetracycline, Erythromycin) is used; a product with Nystatin treats
fungal
conjunctivitis which
complements the mandatory use of general medications.

Types of disease

Depending on the course of inflammation, conjunctivitis can be acute or chronic. By origin, it is infectious or non-infectious in nature. In the absence of infection, the disease manifests itself in the form of an allergy to a certain substance or group of substances; exposure to physical factors (dust particles, foreign objects entering the eyes) is also possible.

Infectious development of the disease is possible due to bacteria, fungi, viruses, and chlamydia. It is most dangerous for others, since it can be transmitted, infecting other people.

Viral

This type of conjunctivitis is quite common and can be transmitted from person to person. It is dangerous because if left untreated it becomes chronic. It is followed by complications that can lead to complete or partial loss of vision.

Viral conjunctivitis manifests itself as:

• redness of the eyes;
• feeling of sand in the eyes;
• profuse lacrimation;
• reactions to bright light;
• inflamed lymph nodes.

Adenoviral conjunctivitis, which is caused not by one, but by a whole group of viruses, is becoming increasingly common. Its manifestations are no different from the viral form, but in the absence of personal hygiene rules, it is transmitted to the other eye, complicating treatment.

The virus infects the eyes against the background of colds: acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections. Possible mucous discharge, formation of follicles, damage to the cornea and the appearance of thin films on the conjunctiva.

Bacterial

It occurs most often due to the colonization of the conjunctiva by colonies of staphylococci and streptococci. Bacteria can get into the eyes with dust, while swimming in bodies of water, or through contact with other people. It often has the character of an epidemic in preschool institutions.

The signs are classic: a feeling of speck in the eye, redness of the whites, swelling of the eyelids. The characteristic signs of this species include viscous yellow purulent discharge from the eyes. Pus leaks frequently and in the morning the eyes may stick together due to its accumulation on the eyelashes.

Allergic

It develops as a hypersensitivity of the body to a certain substance. Often in parallel there is a rash, swelling, rhinitis and other systemic manifestations of allergies. An allergen can be dust, plant pollen, animal fur, or any chemical compound.

The allergy manifests itself in both eyes and is expressed in the form of swelling of the eyelids, watery eyes, itching and burning. Disappears when an allergen is detected and contact with it is avoided.

Chlamydial

Chlamydia includes microorganisms that can invade and infect a cell. They can be infected sexually, but they are parasitic, affecting not only the genitals, but the entire body as a whole.

Chlamydia, when it gets on the mucous membrane of the eye, behaves extremely restrainedly, without clearly showing its presence. The signs are vague and inconsistent, so the patient seeks help from a doctor at the last moment. The main symptoms are usually mild, but enlarged ear lymph nodes can be easily felt.

Toxic

Develops in acute form after instillation of eye drops. A few hours later, an allergy develops to the drug that got on the conjunctiva. A person has complaints about:

• presence of a foreign body in the eye;
• burning;
• itching

Due to photophobia and lacrimation, the palpebral fissure narrows. The conjunctiva and eyelids become red and rough. A rash of small blisters is observed on the skin of the eyelids. Such a reaction is possible to different drops depending on the individual characteristics of the patient.

What is conjunctivitis and is it contagious?

Conjunctivitis is a disease in which the conjunctiva, or connective membrane of the eye, becomes inflamed. They manifest themselves in symptoms such as itching, burning, lacrimation, photophobia.

There are other signs that depend on the form and type of the disease. Approximately 70% of people suffer from it. This is one of the most common ophthalmological diseases that occurs in both children and adults.

In this article

• Can you get conjunctivitis?
• How can you get infected with bacterial conjunctivitis?
• How contagious is conjunctivitis of viral etiology?
• Herpetic viral conjunctivitis
• How to avoid getting conjunctivitis from a patient?

What causes conjunctivitis, is the patient contagious to others, is the disease transmitted from one person to another, how can you avoid getting infected from a patient? To answer these popular questions for this topic, we need to take a closer look at the factors that provoke the disease. They can be combined into three large groups:

• pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms - bacteria, fungi, chlamydia;
• viruses - herpes, adenovirus;
• allergens and other non-infectious factors.

Depending on the specific pathogen, inflammatory diseases of the conjunctiva are divided into bacterial, viral, fungal, chlamydial, angular, and allergic. Let's find out which conjunctivitis is contagious and which is not.