Symptoms and methods of treating conjunctivitis of infectious etiology

What it is?

The disease is characterized by damage to the conjunctiva. This is the mucous membrane of the eye that covers the sclera and eyelids. Infectious conjunctivitis develops under the influence of various pathogenic microorganisms.

The disease often occurs in adults, but children are also susceptible to it, since the child’s immune system is not yet fully developed. In addition, young children often tend to violate personal hygiene rules.

If conjunctivitis develops in an adult, the disease usually progresses more intensely.

Most often, one eye is affected; there are cases of infection spreading to the other side, which is a specific complication.

Infectious-allergic

The disease manifests itself in the same way as infectious conjunctivitis. It is divided into several main forms:

Chronic and pollinous conjunctivitis of the allergic type can affect not only the mucous membrane of the eyes, but also the nose.
A dosage form when inflammation manifests itself as a reaction to any medication.
Seasonal conjunctivitis, which is characterized by exacerbation in spring or summer, usually occurs due to an allergy to pollen.

The basis of treatment is getting rid of the allergen. The doctor prescribes antihistamine eye drops. As a last resort, they prescribe.

It is difficult to get rid of allergic conjunctivitis; you can only try to eliminate or alleviate the symptoms.

Classification

The disease also differs according to the location of inflammation:

Keratoconjunctivitis - with this conjunctivitis, along with damage to the mucous membrane, the cornea of the eye is also affected.
Blepharoconjunctivitis – the eyelids are also inflamed.
Episcleritis - with this conjunctivitis there is virtually no tearing or discharge from the eyes.
Conjunctivochalasis - the mucous membrane is swollen, folds form on it.

Conjunctivitis can be infectious or non-infectious. Depending on the pathogen or cause, the disease is divided into the following forms:

ICD-10 code

In the international classification of diseases, conjunctivitis is designated by code H10. Further, depending on the type, the code number can be supplemented as follows:

Purulent course – H10.0;
Acute conjunctivitis – H10.2;
Chronic type - H10.4, etc.

However, conjunctivitis of infectious origin, which belongs to other classification headings, has code H13.1.

Is it contagious?

Infectious conjunctivitis can be transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person in the following ways:

By airborne droplets. The disease itself is not transmitted in this way. Only the causative agents of the disease are transmitted - viruses, bacteria, fungi that live on the inflamed mucosa. The source of spread is saliva, tears or nasal fluid. Germs are also spread by sneezing and coughing.
Direct contact with a sick person, for example, during close contact.
While using common objects with a carrier of the disease. This could be dishes, a towel, cosmetics, bed linen, or a handkerchief.
In some cases, sexual infection is possible, when bacteria live on the mucous membrane of the genital organs and can spread further to the mucous membrane of the eyes, including.
The disease can be transmitted during childbirth from mother to child, when the woman is sick or.

Causes

The disease develops when an infection caused by various pathogenic microorganisms penetrates the conjunctiva or conjunctival sac . Among them:

In addition to them, fungal infections can also be pathogens. But more often, viral conjunctivitis is diagnosed.

Microtraumas and neglect of personal hygiene rules act as provoking factors. There is a certain category of people who are most susceptible to infectious conjunctivitis:

Small children and schoolchildren.
People who use contact lenses, but do not follow the rules of hygiene and their use.
People in occupations where there is a risk of eye injury or where there is a high risk of dust or dirt getting into the eyes. These could be construction workers, chemical plant workers, etc.

Symptoms

Have you ever experienced infectious conjunctivitis? Clinical manifestations of the disease can be divided into two main types:

Specific - which are inherent in a certain type of conjunctivitis.
Nonspecific – those that occur in all types of diseases.

But even in the presence of pronounced symptoms, it will be difficult to independently determine the form of the disease; you will need the help of an ophthalmologist and a number of diagnostic measures.

Nonspecific symptoms of conjunctivitis manifest themselves as follows:

There is a feeling of the presence of a foreign object in the eye.
A person reacts painfully to bright lighting.
Pain in the eyes.
The appearance of mucous secretion from the eye.
Severe itching and burning;

When waking up in the morning, it can be difficult for a person to open his eyes. Due to the secretion released, the eyelids stick together. You have to wet your eyes to open your eyelids.

The most pronounced form of conjunctivitis is when a person feels severe pain in the eyes. The sore spot is swollen and hyperemic, and a mucous secretion is released. In addition to local manifestations, the general well-being of the patient sometimes suffers. This manifests itself as malaise, fever and headache.

It is worth considering the specific manifestations of infectious conjunctivitis:

Bacterial form - purulent discharge, severe pain, swelling. Dry eyes are observed, body temperature is elevated, all signs of intoxication are present.
Viral conjunctivitis - photophobia, spasm of the eyelids, the secretion is not so abundant, the parotid lymph nodes are inflamed, the whites are very red.
Allergic form – tearing, itching and burning sensation. Edema can be pronounced, and is also present.
Fungal form - in addition to purulent discharge, grayish films are formed. Small subcutaneous nodules may form. In this case, the cornea is also affected.

Consequences and complications

One of the complications of infectious conjunctivitis is Cataract.

If the disease is not properly treated, complications will begin over time. All of them lead to serious visual impairment. Among the most common complications are the following diseases:

Blepharitis and keratitis.
Constant dry eyes.
Over time, the eyelids begin to deform.
Accumulation of pus in the lower part of the eyes.
Scarring of tissue on the cornea.
The appearance of myopia or farsightedness.
Strabismus and cataracts.
The appearance of glaucoma.

Which doctor should I contact?

Eye problems are solved by an ophthalmologist or ophthalmologist. If infectious conjunctivitis has developed, you must see a specialist.

Diagnostics

Have you undergone a diagnostic eye examination? First, the doctor collects an anamnesis, listens to the patient’s complaints and conducts a general ophthalmological examination.

If making a diagnosis is difficult, the patient is referred for a diagnostic examination :

A scraping is made from the painful area in order to carry out the procedure in the future.
A conjunctival smear is made to check for the presence of viral agents.
Detection of microscopic mites.
Allergy tests are carried out.
Instrumental methods include ophthalmic and.

Treatment in adults

Treatment should be started only after a correct diagnosis, only in this case will it bear positive fruit. Once the form of the disease has been identified, based on its course and severity, the doctor will prescribe the necessary medications and other therapeutic measures.

Treatment regimen

It will be like this:

Use of antibacterial agents.
Strict adherence to personal hygiene rules.
The use of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, vasoconstrictor and antihistamine drops.
Use of antibacterial ointments.

Treatment of acute and chronic forms

Therapy for each of these forms may differ. The main task in the treatment of acute conjunctivitis is to prevent it from becoming chronic. Most often, drops are used, such as Albucid or Levomycetin; they need to be dripped into the eyes up to 4 times a day. Tetracycline ointments are usually used. Before treatment procedures, it is recommended to rinse the eyes with antiseptic solutions.

In the chronic form, symptomatic drugs are prescribed, which are used after the onset of the disease.

Review of medications

Infectious conjunctivitis can be treated using various medications.

Drops

They come in several types:

Combined ones include Albucid, Tobrex, Oftadex, Gludantan, Florenal.
Antiviral drops – Oftalmoferon, Rexod Of, Lokferon, Aktipola.
Anti-inflammatory - Diclofenac, Indocollir, Acular.

Ointments

Have you already used tetracycline ointment? The following ointments are used for treatment:

For inflammation - Maxidex, Tobradex.
Antimicrobial - Tobrex, Erythromycin, Tetracycline.
Vasoconstrictors – Visin, Octilia.
Antifungals – Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Natamycin.
For the viral form - Florenal, Bonafton.

Solutions

They are used to wash the eyes to get rid of purulent discharge. Most often, a solution of 2% boric acid and furatsilin is used. The old way of preparing a solution for treatment is to dilute potassium permanganate with water (1:5000).

Pills

Tablets are prescribed only by a doctor in extreme cases. The main ones:

Ofloxacin is a highly effective antibacterial agent that affects the entire body.
Ciprofloxacin is an antimicrobial drug.
Levomycetin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
Clarithromycin is an antibacterial agent from the group.
Acyclovir - used for viral conjunctivitis.

Review of folk remedies

Home treatments can be used to alleviate infectious conjunctivitis only after consulting a doctor. The following recipes are mainly used:

Rinsing the eyes with chamomile tincture, which is brewed at the rate of 2 tbsp. l. dry raw materials per 250 ml of boiling water.
Aloe. Use its crushed pulp and apply it to the eyelids.
Celandine with violet. The decoction is used as a compress and a small amount is taken orally.
Dill juice is used to wipe the conjunctiva up to 5 times a day. Has an antiseptic effect.

Prevention

Do you practice good hygiene? General preventive measures include:

Follow the rules of hygiene always and everywhere.
Strengthen immunity.
Try to avoid direct eye irritants, such as bright sunlight, chemical exposure, or allergens.
If necessary, use medications to prevent illness.
Properly combine work and rest.
Eye cosmetics should be natural and of high quality.
Avoid eye injury and damage.

Source: https://kakorel.com/bolezni/zabolevaniya-konyunktivy/konyunktivit/raznovidnosti/infektsionnyj.html

Causes of infectious conjunctivitis and its treatment

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Inflammation of the conjunctiva, which most often can be caused by bacteria or viruses, is called infectious conjunctivitis. Both bacterial and viral diseases are highly contagious and can be transmitted from one person to another.

Pathogens

The inflammatory process can begin:

fungi (the most common type is candida);
chlamydia, which belongs to atypical microorganisms that combine the properties of both bacteria and viruses;
bacteria (for example, staphylococcus, streptococcus, etc.);
viruses, among which herpes is the leader.

For your information! Simultaneous infection by both bacteria and viruses is possible.

Bacterial infection

The bacterial form is transmitted by contact, through the use of the same objects. Another method of transmission may be water, for example in a swimming pool.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia infection can appear as a concomitant with genital and urological diseases. A person infects himself by carrying the infection on dirty hands.

Viruses

Such eye damage often develops in addition to respiratory infections caused by the same pathogen. With this type of infection, the inflammatory process of the eyes can affect the cornea, which is fraught with complications and aggravation of the condition.

Adenoviral infection is associated with airborne transmission; this kind of conjunctivitis can be observed in kindergartens, even manifesting itself in outbreaks of the disease.

Fungal disease

This infection occurs quite rarely. The provoking factor may be drops with corticosteroids that a person has used for a long time. Another provoking factor is injury to the eye from a tree branch or other object of plant origin.

Symptoms of the disease and complications

Many symptoms of conjunctivitis are similar, regardless of origin:

redness of the eyes;
high sensitivity to light, which can signal a worsening of the disease and its transfer to the cornea;
if the infection is bacterial, sticky eyelids, especially immediately after waking up;
pain and discomfort;
discharge;
itching;
lacrimation, which is characteristic of viral infection;
swelling of the eyelids.

Infectious conjunctivitis responds quite well to treatment in most cases and does not develop into complications. If you self-medicate or ignore treatment, the disease can become chronic, undermining your health and causing discomfort.

For your information! Acute infectious conjunctivitis may initially affect only one eye and later spread to the other.

Diagnostics

Only an ophthalmologist can make a correct diagnosis for a patient. To prescribe effective treatment, the doctor will examine the patient, take into account his complaints and conduct an examination of the discharge. This type of conjunctivitis is determined by its symptoms and external manifestations.

The doctor examines the eyes using a slit lamp, which allows the use of magnification. In serious cases, samples of discharge are sent to the laboratory for examination and determination of the causative agent of the disease. In difficult cases, the patient may be sent for additional consultation to another doctor. For example, when identifying gonococcal conjunctivitis.

Treatment

The treatment method for each patient is selected individually, taking into account the type of infection, age, history of diseases, etc.

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Treatment approach:

General restoratives and those that support local immunity.
Medicines to eliminate infection (antiviral or antibiotics).
Washing the eyes with antiseptics.

Treatment of an infectious eye disease requires a comprehensive approach with mandatory adherence to doctor’s instructions and thorough hand washing. The following drugs are often prescribed:

antiseptics, including boric solution, decamethoxin, etc.;
sulfonamides in the form of drops (for example, albucid).

For your information! In some cases, it is advisable to use combination drugs in the form of drops, which include corticosteroids and an antibiotic or antiseptic (for example, betamethasone).

Treatment of bacterial infection

The causative agent of the disease is determined by laboratory testing. If this is not possible, based on symptoms.

In case of uncomplicated course of the disease, infectious conjunctivitis is treated comprehensively:

in the morning you need to wash your eyes with an antiseptic solution;
At night, apply an antibacterial ointment behind the eyelid;
applying cold compresses to the eyes;
the use of drugs that fit the definition of “artificial tears”;
An antibiotic in the form of drops is instilled into the eyes every couple of hours.

Treatment of viral infection

If the disease is viral in nature, antiviral drugs and solutions can be prescribed as local agents to boost local immunity. For example, interferon, florenal, tebrofen, oxolin, etc.

For your information! If a viral infection is also accompanied by a bacterial infection, then the doctor may prescribe antibacterial drugs.

Set of measures:

applying cold compresses to the eyes to improve the condition;
antiviral therapy with oxolin, florenal, etc.;
for herpes infection - acyclovir or its analogues;
only in severe cases of the disease - corticosteroids.

Folk remedies

Simple folk recipes may not be effective in advanced cases with existing complications. For mild forms, such prescriptions can only be used in consultation with a doctor.

Applications for eyelids can be based on brewed tea bags, solutions of bay leaves, rose hips, and propolis. Chamomile decoctions give good results. Herbal compresses can relieve inflammation and swelling and alleviate the condition.

Disease prevention

The following recommendations should be followed as preventive measures:

do not use other people's contact lenses;
in case of respiratory diseases, wash your hands as often as possible so that the infection does not get into your eyes from your hands;
maintain personal hygiene, use an individual towel, washcloth, etc.;
maintaining a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition, sports, etc.);
avoid eye fatigue, especially in children;
When using contact lenses, carry out all manipulations with them only with clean hands.

Conclusion

Infectious conjunctivitis is a contagious disease that can have a different nature. To start treatment in a timely manner, you must immediately contact an ophthalmologist to establish a diagnosis and receive prescriptions.

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Infectious conjunctivitis - treatment in adults

Although man is called the crown of nature's creation, his systems and organs can suffer from the attack of bacteria and viruses with which the environment is saturated. As a result of infectious agents entering the mucous membranes, inflammation develops.

The organs of vision can also become infected; infectious conjunctivitis begins with inflammation of the eye membrane.

The disease is contagious; without proper and timely treatment, this type of ophthalmia threatens with serious vision problems.

Why does infection affect the eyes?

The complexity of treating diseases of an infectious nature is associated with the need to correctly identify the pathogen, the entry of which into the human body triggers the development of the inflammatory process. Infection can occur in any organ, but the mucous layer of the human visual apparatus (conjunctiva) is most susceptible to the presence of pathogenic microflora.

Reference. The appearance of signs of infectious conjunctivitis in adults may be of an autoimmune nature. With a decrease in immune defense, against the background of diabetes, arthritis or other autoimmune pathologies, the normal microflora of the conjunctiva turns into pathogenic.

The transparent structure of the outer layer of the eye shell is the thinnest connective tissue that protects the eyes from harmful influences.

Diseases develop due to inflammation of the eye mucosa, including infectious conjunctivitis.

Symptoms and treatment methods for an eye problem depend on the type of infection that has invaded, which is determined during diagnostic procedures.

How does infection occur?

If a person is healthy, not every pathogen that enters his body will necessarily cause infection of the ocular mucosa. Health protection is ensured by strong immunity, but with a sharp drop in protective properties, the likelihood of the onset of an infectious process increases. The appearance of symptoms of conjunctivitis can be caused by a number of factors.

Pathogen penetration method	Ways of infection of the organs of vision
Contact	Direct contact of infectious agents directly into the eyes through contact with an infected person, through contaminated hands or common objects, together with contaminated water
Interior	The development of an infectious form of conjunctivitis against the background of infectious diseases occurring in the human body, affecting the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary or respiratory system
The mucous membranes contain conditionally pathogenic microflora in a volume that is not dangerous for a healthy person. Under certain conditions, pathogens begin to multiply, colonizing the mucous membranes of the entire body, including the conjunctiva

Important. In addition to external and internal factors, the cause of the onset of an infectious disease in adults can be neglect of personal hygiene rules. If the symptoms of conjunctivitis affect one eye, then after a few days inflammation is detected in the other eye.

Symptoms of conjunctival infection

Based on the presence of clear signs of eye pathology, it is easy to understand that the process of inflammation has started.

Due to the dilation of blood vessels, the mucous membrane of the eye acquires a reddish tint, and the eyes fill with mucus, which leads to sticking of the eyelids, especially after sleep.

The blurriness of the visible picture significantly impairs the contemplation of the surrounding environment, but for effective treatment of conjunctivitis, the provocateur of the infectious disease should be identified.

Bacterial pathogens

The cause of the onset of the bacterial form of infectious conjunctivitis is most often the contact route of transmission of the infection. Inflammation of the eye membrane causes the following bacteria to enter it:

Streptococci, among which pneumococci are the leaders;
Several varieties of staphylococcal bacillus;
Other rare strains of bacteria.

Symptoms of an acute inflammatory process caused by bacterial infection increase rapidly, but without enlargement of the lymph nodes. The conjunctiva turns red, the eyelids itch against the background of copious discharge of pus, gluing the edges of the eyelids.

With the onset of the chronic stage of an infectious disease, the severity of symptoms decreases along with the secretion of pus.

How to treat bacterial type of conjunctivitis:

For two weeks, the eyes are washed with a solution of furatsilin (1 tablet per glass of warm water) or a solution of boric acid of 2% concentration; it is safer to use pharmaceutical antiseptics;
According to the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor, both eyes are instilled with eye drops every 2-3 hours or ointments (gels) with an antibiotic active against the identified type of pathogen are applied.

Ophthalmologists strongly recommend treating signs of an infectious disease of bacterial ethology by prescribing eye drops with antibiotics; conjunctivitis of this type rarely goes away on its own. After recovery, hygiene rules should be especially strictly observed to reduce the risk of the pathology returning.

Virus attack agents

Among viral infections, the most common pathogen is adenovirus, the presence of which in the body causes inflammation to spread throughout the outer membrane of the eyeball. Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis usually accompany various types of respiratory infections spread by airborne droplets.

The conjunctiva of an infected person swells greatly, and the presence of a foreign object is felt in the unbearably itchy eye. If the inflammatory process penetrates deep into the corneal layer, the manifestations of infectious conjunctivitis become more severe:

Development of intolerance to bright lighting;
The appearance of acute pain in the eye;
Involuntary lacrimation, narrowing of the palpebral fissure.

A highly infectious pathology will have to be treated for more than one week using antibiotics and observing strict personal hygiene rules.

The use of antiviral drugs based on interferons will not only be an effective protection against the uncontrolled reproduction of harmful agents that have already penetrated. Instillations with interferons will create a reliable barrier against the penetration of viruses into the body of a child or adult.

Bacterial and viral form of the disease: how to distinguish

Both types of infectious conjunctivitis develop according to similar scenarios, but the symptoms have certain differences in discharge from the eyes. The course of bacterial conjunctivitis is accompanied by the formation of thick purulent masses of a yellowish tint, which dry out in dense crusts on the eyelids.

In the viral form of conjunctivitis, transparent contents are formed, and the cornea looks cloudy with enlarged lymph nodes in the parotid zone.

The eyes are paired organs, for this reason it is necessary to treat both eyes, remove purulent exudate with separate napkins, use individual accessories so as not to infect others.

If discomfort is accompanied by blurred vision even after blinking, as well as clearing the eye of secretions, this is a sign of a possible infection of the cornea. The progression of the pathological condition threatens visual impairment due to scarring of the conjunctiva.

Other causes of infectious conjunctivitis

In addition to bacterial or viral nature, inflammation of the eye shell in adults can be a consequence of chlamydial or gonorrheal infection. Rarely, an infectious disease of the organs of vision is provoked by colonization of the mucous membranes with fungal microorganisms after long-term therapy with corticosteroids or antibiotics.

In certain situations, in people susceptible to allergic reactions, the course of allergic conjunctivitis develops according to an infectious scenario with signs characteristic of allergies:

Severely swollen eyelids with a reddish tint;
Burning and unbearable itching in the eyes;
The appearance of transparent discharge with a mucous consistency.

Comment. If the allergic type of conjunctivitis has transformed into an infectious pathology, enlargement of the lymph nodes does not occur. The possibility of purulent discharge cannot be ruled out, which necessitates the need to intensify antiallergic therapy by adding eye drops containing antibiotics.

How to recognize infectious type ophthalmia

The inflammatory process affecting the organs of vision often accompanies eye injury, as well as the performance of ophthalmological procedures.

Signs of excessive tearing, redness of the cornea and eye pain, photophobia should not be ignored, you should immediately contact an ophthalmologist.

To implement adequate therapy, the doctor will need the help of differential diagnostic methods to find out the type of infectious disease.

Stages of clarifying the diagnosis

Clarification of the clinical picture. The doctor conducts a visual examination of the visual apparatus, questioning the patient about the manifestation of symptoms, as well as possible causes of the development of conjunctivitis;
Examination of the anterior zone of the eyes. The procedure is performed using a slit lamp, which allows one to determine the condition of the conjunctiva and identify defects associated with the introduction of an infectious agent;
To obtain reliable information about the pathogen, the results of bacteriological analysis of smears of eye secretions will be required. In severe situations, purulent discharge is tested for sensitivity to antibiotics.

In the case of acute infectious conjunctivitis, the result of a fluorescein instillation test may be required.

The procedure helps to detect ruptures in the tear film and violations of the integrity of the corneal epithelium, which accompany pathological changes of an ulcerative nature.

How to treat infectious eye pathology

After examining and correcting the causes of infectious inflammation, the doctor draws up a treatment regimen for a specific type of conjunctivitis.

If the patient consults an ophthalmologist when the first symptoms appear, eye disease can be treated by instilling antibacterial eye drops into the eyes.

Drops with interferon will help stimulate local immunity; it is better to use a strong infusion of chamomile flowers to wash the visual organs.

General principles of therapeutic measures:

Eye rinsing is performed with antiseptic solutions. Among modern antiseptics, ready-made water-based solutions of Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, Decamethoxin, and boric acid are considered the most effective. From Furacilin tablets you can independently prepare an antiseptic that helps remove purulent discharge;
For instillations, eye drops with an antibiotic are used - solutions of chloramphenicol, ofloxacin (Floxal drops), tobramycin (Tobrex drops). To apply under the eyelids, ointments with antibiotics are used - Tetracycline, Gentamicin, Erythromycin. In the case of a complex infectious lesion, instillations of combined solutions of an antibiotic with a corticosteroid are prescribed - Dex-Gentamicin drops. For purulent conjunctivitis, a solution with Diclofenac is used to relieve swelling;
The treatment program for conjunctivitis of infectious etiology is supplemented with drugs that enhance immunity, and the diet with foods high in vitamin C. Antiallergic drugs are used to relieve symptoms of swelling and redness; analogs of natural tear fluid are prescribed as tear replacement therapy - variants of Artificial Tear drops, gel analogs of Ophthalmogel or Vidisik.

Important. If you have conjunctivitis, do not put a bandage on the affected eye. The tissue will prevent the evacuation of purulent contents of the conjunctival cavity, facilitating the penetration of the infectious process deep into the cornea.

It is possible to supplement the treatment of pathology in adults with the application of cool, soothing compresses.

They can be placed several times during the day, removing crusts from the eyes; for washing, infusions of yarrow or chamomile with calendula, decoctions of bay leaves or tea roses are used.

Traditional healers advise washing your eyes with conjunctivitis with chicken egg white, which is dissolved in half a glass of water (boiled). You can also use aloe juice by dissolving 1 part of the juice in 10 parts of boiled water.

How to treat a contagious eye disease

Name of antibacterial eye drops	How does the active substance act on the infected eye shell?
Ciprofloxacin	The antibiotic of a number of fluoroquinolones is especially destructive for bacterial microflora. The use of a drop solution and ointment is recommended for superficial infection of the eye membrane, conjunctivitis with corneal ulceration
Signitsef	Under the influence of levofloxacin, harmful microorganisms lose their ability to reproduce. Drops are prescribed for symptoms of infectious conjunctivitis, as well as after eye surgery
Phloxal	The high activity of ofloxacin leads to the rapid death of pathogens with the onset of a long-term therapeutic effect. The use of drops is important for severe conjunctivitis, infectious inflammation of the cornea, and the extreme line of the eyelids
Combination Dexa-Gentamicin	The prescription of the drug should be justified by the sensitivity of the pathogenic microflora of the eye to the antibiotic. Adding a corticosteroid (dexamethasone) to the treatment composition helps relieve swelling and inflammation
Tobrex	The aminoglycoside tobramycin is highly active against a number of harmful agents. The use of solution and ointment for the treatment of acute and chronic forms of conjunctivitis blocks inflammation, preventing the spread of the infectious process

Do not stop treating conjunctivitis according to the regimen prescribed by your doctor, even if all symptoms of the infectious pathology disappear. After completing the therapeutic course, it is necessary to re-examine the organs of vision to ensure that there is no threat of re-infection. It will take about 10 days to effectively treat the problem of infectious conjunctivitis.

Source: https://zrenie.guru/konyunktivit-infektsionnyy

Infectious conjunctivitis: symptoms, treatment, in children, in adults, photos, inflammation

Conjunctivitis is an inflammatory disease of the conjunctival membrane of the eye. It has a different nature of occurrence, but most often it is caused by various viruses, bacteria and microorganisms. Therefore, there are forms of conjunctivitis that can be easily transmitted from person to person.

This article will discuss one of the forms of this disease, namely infectious conjunctivitis. You will learn about how and why it can appear, and how to properly treat conjunctivitis in newborns and adults to prevent the development of serious complications.

What it is

Infectious conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, caused by various viruses and bacteria. In addition, the disease can be provoked by microorganisms, however, it has been proven that the main provoking factor is adenoviruses.

Conjunctivitis, which is infectious in nature, is very dangerous because it can lead to scarring of the conjunctival membrane and deformation of the tear film.

In the future, the infection can spread to the cornea of the eye, which leads to a significant decrease in the quality of vision. Infectious conjunctivitis is easily transmitted both from one eye to another and from person to person. Conjunctivitis may also appear in a newborn, the treatment of which may take more time and money.

Causes

Infectious conjunctivitis can be caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as streptococci and staphylococci, chlamydia, viruses and fungi, entering the conjunctiva and conjunctival sac. The appearance of this disease can also be triggered by microtrauma to the eyes, improper hygiene, decreased immunity, and infectious diseases of the nasopharynx.

Conjunctivitis of an infectious nature can develop if there is an external provoking factor, and in the case of autoinfection.

Autoinfections are the transformation of normal microflora of the conjunctiva into pathogenic ones. In this situation, the cause of conjunctivitis may lie in decreased immunity, diabetes, arthritis, and so on . Therefore, we should not forget that infectious conjunctivitis can occur even without mechanical trauma and infection in the eye.

Symptoms

The main symptom of infectious conjunctivitis is irritation and discomfort from bright light. In this case, the conjunctiva changes its color to pink, as its vessels dilate. You may also notice the appearance of discharge that blinds the eyelids. The discharge can cause blurred vision, but if it is removed, everything returns to normal.

If blurred vision remains even after blinking and removal of secretions, then it is worth suspecting that the infection has spread to the cornea. Because of this, scars may subsequently form on the conjunctiva and visual impairment may occur.

There are some differences in how viral conjunctivitis differs from bacterial conjunctivitis, read about them here.

Signs of viral conjunctivitis:

Watery discharge from the eyes;
The provoking factor is a nasopharyngeal infection;
Enlargement and pain of the parotid lymphatic vessels.

Signs of bacterial conjunctivitis:

Thick white or yellowish discharge;
Lymphatic vessels do not enlarge.

Diagnostics

To diagnose infectious conjunctivitis, the doctor needs to know what symptoms and external manifestations accompany this disease.

For diagnosis, a slit lamp is used, with which a specialist examines the eye.

To determine the causative agent of conjunctivitis, you need to take a sample of the discharge for laboratory analysis. But this is done only if the conjunctivitis is quite severe and with relapses, or when there is a suspicion that the inflammation is caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea.

Treatment

You should know that infectious conjunctivitis may not always go away on its own. For example, bacterial conjunctivitis without proper treatment can occur with relapses, either disappearing or appearing again.

Discharge from the eyes should be wiped with a clean cloth, which must be moistened in boiled water. You can apply both warm and cold compresses, which temporarily help relieve irritation.

Since infectious conjunctivitis spreads well from person to person, hand hygiene must be observed (they must be washed after washing the eyes, after applying medications). You should not touch your healthy eye to avoid spreading the infection to it.

Those towels and napkins that are used to care for a sore eye should be stored separately. If you have infectious conjunctivitis, it is recommended that you stay home for the first few days to avoid spreading the infection to others. The most common eye drops for conjunctivitis are:

Albucid;
Tobrex;
Gludantan;
Forenal;
Oftadex;
Phloximed;
Signicef.

There are many other medications available. It should be remembered that it is best to consult a doctor who will prescribe more effective and efficient treatment. Self-medication can be dangerous.

To treat bacterial conjunctivitis, antibiotics are prescribed, for example, Erythromycin (ointment, for example) or Azithromycin. To help relieve dry and inflamed eyes, it is recommended to apply cold compresses and use moisturizing eye drops. To remove discharge, you can rinse your eyes with saline solution.

Viral conjunctivitis is treated quite simply. You can make cold compresses, use vasoconstrictor and moisturizing eye drops. If conjunctivitis has developed due to herpes, then antiherpetic drugs are prescribed, for example, Acyclovir, Trifluridine, and so on.

Instructions for using Albucid eye drops can be found here.

Complications

Infectious conjunctivitis, caused in particular by chlamydia, can last for several months.

How to treat purulent conjunctivitis in an adult, see the following link.

Any conjunctivitis caused by bacteria is very dangerous, especially for prematurely born children.

Complications that may occur if infectious conjunctivitis is not treated:

Meningitis. This is an infectious disease that manifests itself as inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, resulting in a change in the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid. Meningitis is very dangerous because it leads to disability or even death.
Sepsis. It is also called blood poisoning. Sepsis develops when harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream and begin to infect the tissues of the human body.
Otitis media This ear infection occurs in children, but is quite rare. In particular, otitis media can develop after conjunctivitis, which is caused by Haemophilus influenzae bacteria.

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of infectious conjunctivitis, you should remember a few simple rules :

You cannot use other people’s towels and other facial hygiene products, or give yours to others.
When sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth and nose with your hand. After this, be sure to wash your hands.
You cannot give your contact lenses to others and take someone else’s.
You should wash your hands with soap as often as possible.
It is recommended to always have wet antibacterial wipes or gels on hand.
When swimming in ponds or pools, you should wear swimming goggles to protect your eyes from germs.

How to treat viral conjunctivitis in an adult, read the material.

Symptoms of cataracts in the early stages: is it possible to avoid surgery during this period?

What to do if vision declines with age - you will learn the main causes and methods of combating this disease by clicking on this link.

Modern types of spectacle lenses: https://eyesdocs.ru/ochki/podbor/pravilnyj-delo-ruk-okulista.html

Video

conclusions

Infectious conjunctivitis is a rather dangerous disease, but only if it is not treated. If symptoms of conjunctivitis appear, you should immediately consult a doctor, who will determine the cause of the disease and prescribe the correct treatment.

Source: https://EyesDocs.ru/zabolevaniya/konyunktivit/infekcionnyj.html

Infectious conjunctivitis: causes, symptoms, treatment - "Healthy Eye"

What is infectious conjunctivitis?

This is a disease of the visual system that is caused by viruses or bacteria. Inflammation of the mucous membrane affects adults, children and newborns. Epidemic outbreaks of conjunctivitis often occur in children's groups. Untimely treatment can lead to complications, spread to the cornea and lead to vision impairment.

Kinds

Based on their occurrence, experts classify infectious conjunctivitis into two types:

Bacterial infections of the conjunctiva

They come in several types: acute (occurs suddenly, has a rapid manifestation), chronic (expresses itself gradually, often the disease accompanies blepharitis), chlamydial (chlamydia, entering the mucous membrane, causes inflammation, there are no clear and obvious symptoms).

Viral infections: causes and types of occurrence

Depending on the pathogen, there are the following types:

adenoviral (incubation period – 4–12 days, occurs after inflammation of the respiratory tract);
herpetic (cause: stress, eye injury, hypothermia, alcohol abuse);
epidemic (rare, causative agent - Koch-Wicks bacillus).

Infectious conjunctivitis: causes of occurrence

When pathogenic microorganisms get on the conjunctiva: bacteria, viruses, fungi, chlamydia, they cause disease. There is also no need to exclude the following factors:

improper hygiene;
microtrauma of the eye;
nasopharyngeal infection;
decreased protective function;
arthritis;
diabetes.

Experts also identify mixed infections; the causative agent of the disease can simultaneously be several infectious agents: viruses and fungi.

Mechanism of disease development

The human body is very sensitive to external factors and various irritants. The eyes are protected from infectious diseases. The eyelids, thanks to the blinking reflex, always moisten the conjunctiva with tear fluid. It cleanses the eye of dust and dirt. Its bactericidal properties have a detrimental effect on pathogens.

There are reasons when the mucous membrane does not perform a protective function. Phagocytes destroy and absorb pathogenic microbes. The infection, getting into the eyes with weakened immunity, injuries to the organs of vision, penetrates the mucous membrane. During reproduction, poisons and toxins begin to be released. This is the basis for the development of infectious conjunctivitis in adults.

The inflammatory process occurs in several stages in strict order:

The first is alteration. After damage to the conjunctiva, its destruction begins, and over time, partial death.
At the second stage - exudation - the patient experiences redness, swelling, and pain.
Proliferation is the third stage. The inflammatory response gradually decreases. Dead cells are replaced by new ones, the affected area is replaced by connective tissue.

Source: https://zdorovoeoko.ru/bolezni/infektsionnyj-konyunktivit/