Viral Conjunctivitis - Symptoms And Treatment In Children And Adults

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Viral conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the lining of the eyelids and eyeball. Most often, there is a bacterial, viral, allergic form of this disease. Fungal and atypical chlamydial conjunctivitis is often diagnosed. Viral conjunctivitis occurs with the same frequency in both adults and children.

Content:

• Causes of viral conjunctivitis
• Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis
• Treatment of adenoviral conjunctivitis in children
• Treatment of herpetic viral conjunctivitis

Causes of viral conjunctivitis

This disease occurs both as an independent pathology (as a result of the introduction of herpes viruses, herpes zoster, Coxsackie virus, adenovirus, enterovirus into the body), and as a result of the defeat of the patient with a systemic viral infection - influenza, rubella, mumps, measles, chickenpox.

If an adenovirus of type 3,4,7 has entered the body, acute pharyngoconjunctivitis develops, if the type of adenovirus corresponds to types 8 and 10, the diagnosis is "epidemic keratoconjuntivitis." Symptoms of a viral lesion of the mucous membrane of the eyes occur simultaneously with the development of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. The development of the disease in most cases occurs on the mucous membrane of both eyes. If the infection initially concentrates on one eye, it will soon affect the other organ of vision.

Approximately 2/3 of the total number of cases of viral conjunctivitis occur as hospital infections. The contagiousness of the disease is quite high. It spreads by contact, transmitted by close contact, through the hands. The airborne route of infection with this form of conjunctivitis is unlikely.

Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis

The latent (incubation) period of this disease is 4-12 days. This means that the symptoms of pathology may appear after such a period of time after contact with the source of infection.

After the latent course of the infection, symptoms of viral conjunctivitis appear:

• Follicles form on the lining of the eyelids.

• Irritation of nerve endings and an increase in the vessels of the mucous membrane of the eye leads to reddening of its tissues, the appearance of itching and lacrimation.
• A mucous discharge appears on the conjunctiva, this symptom quickly passes from one eye to the other.
• With the help of palpation, painful lymph nodes located in front of the ears can be found.
• The patient feels as if there is a foreign body in the eye, he develops photophobia.
• Due to the opacity of the cornea, vision decreases, this symptom partially remains for 2 years after recovery.

If inflammation of the mucous membrane has arisen against the background of a viral infection (measles, influenza, rubella, mumps, chickenpox), the main direction of therapy is to combat the manifestations of the underlying disease. Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis are stopped by flushing the eyes with herbal infusions with an antiseptic effect, using eye drops with interferon. After the symptoms of a viral disease disappear, the manifestations of conjunctivitis also go away.

Treatment of adenoviral conjunctivitis in children

This type of conjunctivitis is transmitted by airborne droplets, affecting the nasopharynx along with the mucous membrane of the eyes. Outbreaks of adenovirus infection in children's groups take on the character of an epidemic.

Disease symptoms:

• The combination of adenoviral conjunctivitis with catarrhal phenomena in the nasopharynx is characterized by hyperthermia up to + 39 ° C, enlargement of the preauricular lymph nodes.
• The conjunctiva and eyelids turn red, swell, and a small amount of mucus is released from the eyes.
• There is lacrimation, photophobia.
• If the disease takes a follicular form, films or follicles form on the mucous membrane.
• Corneal lesions are extremely rare.

Diagnosis of complex lesions of the conjunctiva and upper respiratory tract, which is of a viral nature, is carried out on the basis of cytological, virological and serological laboratory tests.

Treatment of viral conjunctivitis is carried out with drops of Albucid (sodium sulfacyl), as a universal drug for any form of conjunctivitis.

Antiviral eye drops:

• Ophthalmoferon - contain human interferon, which determines its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties as an immunomodulator. Therapeutic dose - 1-2 drops 6-8 times a day in the acute period, then 2-3 times a day until complete recovery.
• Poludan - used to treat eye infections caused by the herpes virus and adenovirus. Drops are created as a result of biosynthesis based on cytokines and endogenous interferons. The therapeutic dose is 1-2 drops 6-8 times a day in the acute period of the disease, then 3-4 times for 7-10 days.
• Aktipol - created on the basis of endogenous interferon, which gives them antiviral and regenerative properties to restore the mucous membrane. Possesses the qualities of the strongest antioxidant. The therapeutic dose is 2 drops up to 8 times a day for 10 days.

According to the doctor's prescription, the treatment of viral conjunctivitis is carried out with antiviral ointments. They are used both in pediatrics and for the treatment of adult patients. Before laying the ointment for children, a little preparatory work is required. The eyes are washed with antiseptic infusions of tea, sage, chamomile (if these herbs are not allergens for the patient), Albucid or drops with interferon are instilled. After 30 minutes, you can apply the ointment. All drugs should be used only after consulting a pediatrician or pediatric ophthalmologist.

Antiviral eye ointments:

• Florenal - used to treat eye infections caused by the viruses of chickenpox, herpes simplex and herpes zoster, adenovirus. Therapeutic dosage - in the conjunctival sac 2-3 times a day for 10-45 days.
• Tebrofen ointment - used to treat all types of viral conjunctivitis, used 3-4 times a day.
• Bonafton - used to treat conjunctivitis caused by adenovirus and herpes simplex virus. Therapeutic dosage for adults is 0.1 g 3-4 times a day for 2-3 weeks, for children - 0.025 g 1-4 times a day for 10-12 days.

On the recommendation of an ophthalmologist, when a bacterial infection is attached, ointments with antibiotics (Tetracycline ointment, Erythomycin ointment) can be prescribed.

Treatment of herpetic viral conjunctivitis

The herpes virus, having entered the human body, affects not only the skin, but also the mucous membranes of various organs, including the mucous membrane of the conjunctiva of the eye. The most common infectious agents are Zoster herpes, Einstein-Barr herpes, and less often Cytomegalovirus.

Symptoms of herpetic conjunctivitis:

• Unlike adenovirus, the herpes virus affects only one eye.
• The symptoms of inflammation are erased, the process develops slowly.
• Herpetic eruptions appear on the eyelids, on the skin around the eyes, as well as itching, burning, mild pain, lacrimation.
• Minor mucous discharge in the catarrhal form of conjunctivitis, purulent - in the case of a bacterial infection. Such manifestations require the use of antimicrobial drugs.
• The follicular form of herpetic inflammation is characterized by the formation of follicles on the mucous membrane of the eye, with the vesicle-ulcerative form - erosions and ulcers are formed on the mucous membrane.
• A complication of herpetic conjunctivitis is damage to the cornea (herpetic keratitis).

Treatment of this type of viral conjunctivitis is carried out as directed by an ophthalmologist. The doctor recommends antiviral, anti-inflammatory drops and ointments containing interferon.

Treatment of herpetic viral conjunctivitis:

• The skin of the eyelids is treated with brilliant green.
• Ointments against the herpes virus are placed in the lower conjunctival sac - Zovirax, Virolex, Bonafton, Acyclovir, Florenal, Tebrofenovaya ointment.
• If the lesion occupies a significant area of the eyelid skin, around the eyes, additionally, acyclovir, Valtrex, immunomodulators are used orally on the recommendation of a doctor.

To avoid the attachment of a secondary bacterial infection with herpetic conjunctivitis, twice a day, erythromycin or tetracycline ointment is placed on the mucous membrane of the lower eyelid for 1-2 weeks. For the purpose of prevention, eye drops containing an antibiotic (Tobrex) are used.

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The author of the article: Degtyareva Marina Vitalievna, ophthalmologist, ophthalmologist