Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments of an Eye Cold

Posted in Eye Disorders, Preventative Eye Care | July 28, 2020

Do You Have an Eye Cold?

Colds and other viral infections don’t just cause sneezing and coughing but they may also affect your eyes. If your eyes are red, uncomfortable, and won’t stop watering, an eye cold may be to blame.

What is an Eye Cold?

An eye cold occurs when you have viral conjunctivitis, commonly called “pink eye.” Viruses affect mucous membranes in your body, including those in the eyes, lungs, and nose.

Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can be spread by person-to-person contact or by touching an object contaminated by the virus. If someone coughs near you or shakes your hand after wiping their eyes, you may catch an eye cold. If you already have a cold, it may spread to your eyes if you cough or sneeze into your hand then rub your eyes.

Although viral conjunctivitis isn’t a serious eye infection, you might need to stay home from school or work to prevent the virus from infecting other people.

What Are the Symptoms of Viral Conjunctivitis?

If you have viral conjunctivitis, you may develop one or more of these signs and symptoms:

• The Whites of Your Eyes Look Pink or Red
• Watery Eyes
• Discharge
• Itching and Burning
• Blurry Vision
• Sensitivity to Light
• Eyelid Swelling
• A Feeling That Something Is Stuck in Your Eye

These symptoms may also occur if you have allergic or bacterial conjunctivitis. If you’ve haven’t been sick but have allergies, your eye discomfort may be related to your allergies.

Bacterial conjunctivitis can occur if your eye comes in contact with bacteria. You can develop this form of conjunctivitis if you don’t wash your hands before touching your eyes, fail to clean your contact lenses properly, or use contaminated makeup or personal care products.

How Can I Treat an Eye Cold at Home?

Viruses usually go away on their own within a week or two. While you wait to get better, these steps can help improve your comfort:

• Create a Soothing Compress. Wet a washcloth with warm water, wring it out, and place it over your eyes. Warm washcloths can be particularly helpful if discharge glues your eyes together when you wake up in the mornings. After the compress remains on your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes, you should be able to gently pry your eyelashes apart.
• Use Artificial Tears. Artificial tears lubricate your eyes and relieve burning, itching, and grittiness.
• Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers. The medication may help reduce pain, inflammation, and fever.
• Get Plenty of Rest. Rest is an important aspect of your recovery. Even if you don’t feel ill, it’s a good idea to devote more time to rest.

Washing your hands frequently, particularly if you’ve accidentally touched your eyes, will help prevent the virus from infecting other people in your home. Wash towels, washcloths, and pillowcases in hot water every day. If only one eye is infected, use a separate washcloth and towel to prevent the virus from infecting your other eye.

It’s also important to throw away eye makeup, contact lens solutions, and contact lenses (unless you wear daily contact lenses). If you continue to use the products, you may reinfect yourself.

When Should I Visit the Optometrist?

Call your eye doctor if you have trouble seeing, your symptoms aren’t improving after a week, you have a green or yellow discharge, or you have severe pain when you look at bright lights.

Your optometrist can determine if your symptoms are caused by viral conjunctivitis or another type of conjunctivitis. Although antibiotic eye drops won’t help viral conjunctivitis, they may be prescribed if you have bacterial conjunctivitis. Drops that relieve allergy symptoms may be recommended if your symptoms are actually caused by allergies instead of a virus.

Are you experiencing any of the symptoms of conjunctivitis? Contact our office to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

American Academy of Ophthalmology: Quick Home Remedies for Pink Eye, 3/27/19

American Optometric Association: Conjunctivitis

WebMD: Conjunctivitis

Is Pink Eye a Symptom of COVID-19, Cold or Flu?

By Allie Johnson; reviewed by Valerie Kattouf, OD, FAAO

Can COVID-19, a cold or the flu cause conjunctivitis?

Pink eye can be a symptom of viral illnesses such as COVID-19, a cold or the flu — but it doesn’t happen every time.

If you have a hacking cough, runny nose, or other symptoms of a viral illness, and your eyes get red and weepy and your eyelids puffy, you could have viral pink eye. The medical name for pink eye is conjunctivitis.

How can this happen? If you’re sick, you may transfer viruses to your eye by blowing your nose then wiping away a tear or simply touching the area around your eye.

How COVID-19 relates to pink eye

The novel coronavirus, which causes a disease known as COVID-19, is a virus first seen in humans in an outbreak that began in late December 2019 in China. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

Coronavirus can cause pink eye, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), but the chances are low.

“It might be possible for coronavirus to cause a pink eye infection (conjunctivitis), but this is rare,” the AAO states.

SEE RELATED: Coronavirus: How eyes may play a role in its spread

There are two main ways the new coronavirus and other viruses could get into the eye and possibly cause conjunctivitis: 

1. Coughs and sneezes

First, the coronavirus could get into the eye through aerosol transfer. “That’s if you’re standing within six feet of someone who has the virus, and they cough or sneeze, and you aren’t wearing any protective eyewear,” says Stephanie Marioneaux, MD, clinical spokeswoman for the AAO. 

2. Touching the eyes

The coronavirus also could be transferred from the hands to the eyes. For example, you could get coronavirus in your eye if someone with the virus touches a grocery store cart handle, then you use the same cart and touch your eyes, Marioneaux says. 

The good news is that only about 1% to 3% of coronavirus patients get conjunctivitis, according to the AAO.

Adenovirus conjunctivitis: The most common type 

Coronavirus is front and center right now, but you may not have heard of the most common cause of viral pink eye: adenoviruses. 

The symptoms of adenovirus infection can resemble a cold or the flu and may include: 

• Fever

• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea

• Inflammation of airways and lungs, known as acute bronchitis

• Sore throat

• Pneumonia

• Pink eye

Conjunctivitis symptoms typically involve a red, infected eye, a watery discharge and a sandy, gritty feeling in the eye.

Adenoviruses are the group of viruses that cause the common cold and many other common upper respiratory conditions.

An adenovirus can be the cause of a mild conjunctivitis with no other symptoms or be the cause of the most serious form of conjunctivitis known as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC). This particular type of conjunctivitis tends to occur in clusters and is highly contagious and uncomfortable.

Adenoviruses can live on surfaces for a long time, Marioneaux says. “They can last on a doorknob for 30 days and still be just as infectious as on day one,” she says. 

There also are many other viruses, and strains of viruses, that can cause conjunctivitis.

Can the flu cause pink eye?

Some strains of the flu may cause conjunctivitis. However, it’s not nearly as common a cause as adenovirus, Marioneaux says. 

How can you prevent viral conjunctivitis in your eyes? 

Prevention is the best medicine. Here are four ways to reduce your chances of getting viral conjunctivitis: 

1. Wash your hands the right way

Review the five steps to washing hands correctly from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You must wet your hands, turn off the tap, apply soap, lather and scrub for 20 seconds, then rinse. After washing your hands, air dry them or use a clean towel. 

2. Don’t touch your eyes

Resist the urge to dab, rub or wipe your eyes, or touch other parts of your face, whether or not you have symptoms of illness right now. “Do not touch your eyes unless you use a clean tissue,” Marioneaux says. 

3. Avoid sharing personal items

Don’t share items such as contact cases, eye drops, face makeup or makeup brushes, pillowcases, or bath or hand towels, the CDC recommends. Conjunctivitis is very contagious a patient can cause the spread from one eye to the other.

4. Switch from contacts to glasses

Contact lens wearers may want to switch to eyeglasses temporarily. “Many contact lens patients touch their eyes without even thinking about it,” Marioneaux says. “So maybe wear glasses until the coronavirus scare is over.” 

It’s hard to overstate the importance of good hygiene practices. 

“You just never know what your hands have come in contact with when you touched the doorknob, used the pencil or signed the credit card box behind customer number 1,000,” Marioneaux says.

Viral conjunctivitis treatment: What you should know

There is no treatment for viral pink eye, but it typically goes away on its own in one to two weeks. 

If you’re diagnosed with viral conjunctivitis, your eye doctor may recommend these home remedies for pink eye to help ease your symptoms: 

• Use lubricating eye drops, also known as “artificial tears,” to soothe the irritated eye. Be careful not to touch the tip of the bottle to your eye so you don’t spread the infection. 

You should know that it’s common for health care providers to incorrectly prescribe antibiotic eye drops for viral pink eye, especially if you go to a family doctor or urgent care provider who may have little experience with differentiating eye infections. 

In fact, one study of antibiotic use for pink eye found that most people with acute conjunctivitis are getting the wrong treatment. The study found that 60% of patients get prescribed antibiotics even though these drugs are usually not necessary. 

It is often the patient or parent who assumes that a typical viral conjunctivitis will not resolve without the aid of a topical medication and may even pressure a practitioner into prescribing one. This is an incorrect assumption.

This is a problem for two big reasons: 

1. Incorrect antibiotic use can cause resistance

If a patient is given an antibiotic unnecessarily, it may be less effective in the future for treating a more serious eye infections, Marioneaux says. “Patients who don’t need antibiotics are being given medications we reserve for our toughest cases.” 

2. Antibiotics may make viral pink eye worse

Antibiotic eye drops can interfere with your body’s immune response, which is what ultimately gets rid of viral conjunctivitis, Marioneaux says. If this happens, healing can be delayed. 

It’s important to get correctly diagnosed by a vision care provider to avoid incorrect treatment and get the proper diagnosis, education and plan. It may be difficult to distinguish viral conjunctivitis caused by adenovirus from other eye infections caused by a variety of viruses or bacteria.

A red eye could have a variety of causes, Marioneaux says. 

What to do if you’re sick and have eye symptoms 

What if you come down with a fever, sniffles or other symptoms and develop what looks like pink eye? 

“Avoid any kind of DIY diagnosis,” Marioneaux says, adding that eye redness, even while you’re sick, doesn’t necessarily mean you have an infection. 

For example, irritation, redness or swelling could be caused by allergies, antihistamines, cough medicine or other medications that dry out your sinuses and may cause dry eyes too. 

That’s why it’s important to consult an eye care professional to find out what’s really going on with your eyes, Marioneaux says. 

And with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to take precautions not to spread viruses. 

Here’s what to do if you have an eye issue and also have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or any other symptoms of illness: 

Put off non-urgent appointments

If you have a routine eye exam scheduled, postpone your visit to the eye doctor until you are well.

See an eye care professional

Don’t get treatment for a medical eye problem from a family doctor or urgent care center practitioner. Optometrists and ophthalmologists specialize in issues involving the eye therefore have more experience in diagnosing and treating these conditions.

Call your eye doctor before you visit

Call your eye doctor’s office to describe your symptoms and discuss your eye problem before going into the office. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or think you may have been exposed. 

If you are sick and have an urgent eye problem that requires in-person attention, your doctor should ask you to wear a face mask and sit in a separate waiting area away from other patients. 

Your eye doctor may use protective gear such as eye goggles, a face mask, gown, gloves and a slit lamp breath shield while examining you. 

What to do if you think you have pink eye

Viral conjunctivitis is self-limiting, the symptoms involved typically last 7-10 days. It is most contagious during the first three to four days after the onset of pink eye.

Avoid sharing items with others and touching the eye during the entire course of the condition. See your eye doctor to help you determine the cause of your conjunctivitis and develop the best treatment and plan.

Page published in March 2020

Page updated in October 2021

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) | Kellogg Eye Center

What Is Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)?

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, filmy membrane that covers the white of your eye. The conjunctiva, which produces mucus to coat and lubricate the surface of the eye, contains fine blood vessels that can be seen on close inspection. When the conjunctiva becomes irritated or inflamed, the blood vessels, which supply it, enlarge and become more prominent, causing the eye to turn red.

Symptoms

• Pinkness or redness in the eye
• Red, inflamed inner eyelids
• Blurred vision
• Sandy or scratchy feeling in the eye
• Pus, mucous, or watery discharge from the eye

The symptoms described above may not necessarily mean that you have conjunctivitis. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, contact your ophthalmologist for a complete exam.

Causes

There are many sources of eye irritation that can cause conjunctivitis.

• Bacterial Conjunctivitis
  Bacterial infections can cause a red eye, which is associated with pus or discharge from the eye, or they can cause a red eye which is associated with crusting of the eyelashes with little or no discharge.
• Viral Conjunctivitis
  Viruses can cause conjunctivitis, such as the familiar red eyes, sore throat, and runny nose of a common cold. Viral conjunctivitis usually produces a watery mucous discharge and lasts from 1 to 2 weeks. Infectious conjunctivitis, commonly known as “pink eye,” can be quite contagious. Cloth handkerchiefs and towels should not be shared during this time. Hand washing also will help prevent the spread of this infection.
• Allergies
  Allergies can cause conjunctivitis, which produces a stringy, white discharge. Allergies can make the eyes itchy or produce a chronic red eye and environmental irritants, such as smoke or fumes, may cause conjunctivitis. Any type of conjunctivitis is aggravated by dryness of the eyes.

Risk Factors

The risk factors for conjunctivitis depend on the type of conjunctivitis.  Bacterial conjunctivitis results from exposure to a bacterial organism to which the eye is vulnerable.  Some of the more worrisome types of bacterial conjunctivitis can be caused by organisms that also cause sexually transmitted diseases; a sudden onset of the above symptoms in the context of a new sexual partner needs to be evaluated. 

Viral conjunctivitis is extremely contagious.  Often the person with viral conjunctivitis has had an upper respiratory infection preceding the onset of the red eye or has been around someone with an upper respiratory infection.  People who work in health care settings or with children have a high risk of exposure to the viruses that can cause viral conjunctivitis.

Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by the environmental factors that trigger an allergic reaction in the eye and these triggers are different for each person.

Tests and Diagnosis

The different types of conjunctivitis often can be distinguished by an eye examination, including your medical history. If your ophthalmologist suspects bacterial conjunctivitis, s/he will culture your eyelids, conjunctiva, and discharge to make a diagnosis and choose the best treatment. Viral and allergic conjunctivitis often do not require special testing for diagnosis.

Treatment and Drugs

If you think you might have conjunctivitis, you should

• Keep your hands away from your eyes
• Thoroughly wash your hands before and after applying eye medications
• Do not share towels, washcloths, cosmetics, or eyedrops with others
• Seek treatment promptly
• Small children, who may forget these precautions, should be kept away from school, camp, and the swimming pool until the condition is cured

Treatment for Bacterial or Viral Conjuntivitis

Infectious conjunctivitis, caused by bacteria, usually is treated with antibiotic eye drops and/or ointment. Other infectious forms, caused by viruses, can’t be treated with antibiotics. They must be fought off by your body’s immune system. But some antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections from developing.  Artificial tears and warm compresses may help keep the eye comfortable while viral conjunctivitis runs its course.

Treatment for Allergic Forms of Conjuntivitis

When treating allergic and chemical forms of conjunctivitis, the cause of the allergy or irritation must first be removed. For instance, avoid contact with any animal if it causes an allergic reaction. Wear swimming goggles if chlorinated water irritates your eyes. In cases where these measures won’t work, prescription and over-the-counter eye drops are available to help relieve the discomfort.

Patient Resources

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Reviewed by Jill E. Bixler, M.D.

Adenovirus (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth

What Are Adenoviruses?

Adenoviruses are a group of

virusesthat can infect the membranes (tissue linings) of the:

What Are Adenovirus Infections?

Adenoviruses are common causes of fever and illnesses such as:

Adenovirus (add-eh-noe-VY-rus) infections are usually mild, but serious infections can happen. Infants and people with weak immune systems are more likely to have severe problems. Some types of the virus are linked to more severe disease.

Who Gets Adenovirus Infections?

Adenovirus infections can affect children of any age. But they’re more common in babies and young children. Most kids have had at least one adenovirus infection before age 10. There are many different types of adenoviruses, so people can have more than one adenovirus infection.

Adenovirus infections can happen at any time of the year.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Adenovirus Infections?

The symptoms of adenoviral infections depend on the type of adenovirus and the part of the body affected. Respiratory symptoms are most common.

Upper respiratory infections can range from mild cold symptoms to flu-like symptoms. These include:

Adenoviruses can also cause lower respiratory infections such as bronchiolitis, croup, or pneumonia. Adenovirus can cause a cough that sounds like whooping cough (pertussis).

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and intestines. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, belly pain, and fever.

Bladder infections: These can cause frequent peeing, burning, pain, and blood in the urine.

Eye infections:

• Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) is a mild inflammation of the membranes that cover the eye and inner surfaces of the eyelids. Symptoms include red eyes, discharge, tearing, and the feeling that there’s something in the eye.
• Pharyngoconjunctival fever causes very red eyes, a sore throat, fever, runny nose, and swollen glands.
• Keratoconjunctivitis is a more severe eye infection that involves both the conjunctiva and cornea (the transparent front part of the eye). It causes red eyes, photophobia (sensitivity to light), blurry vision, tearing, and pain.

Nervous system infections:

• Meningitis and encephalitis can sometimes happen due to adenovirus infection. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, and confusion.

Is Adenovirus Contagious?

Adenovirus is highly contagious. Infections are common in close-contact settings, such as childcare centers, schools, hospitals, and summer camps.

Adenovirus can spread through droplets when someone with an infection coughs or sneezes. Fecal material (poop) can spread the infection via contaminated water, dirty diapers, and poor hand washing. Outbreaks of pharyngoconjunctival fever at summer camps are linked to contaminated water in swimming pools and lakes.

A child might also pick up the virus by touching someone who has it. Adenoviruses can survive on surfaces for a long time. So they can spread on contaminated toys, towels, and other objects.

Symptoms usually start 2 days to 2 weeks after contact with adenovirus.

How Are Adenovirus Infections Diagnosed?

The symptoms of adenovirus infections are similar to many other infections. If a person has a serious infection, doctors can test respiratory or conjunctival secretions, a stool sample, or a blood or urine sample to confirm the diagnosis.

Doctors will also test for adenovirus during suspected outbreaks. (An outbreak is when many people come down with the same symptoms.)

How Are Adenovirus Infections Treated?

Most adenovirus infections get better on their own. Treatment at home includes getting plenty of rest, drinking enough liquids, and using acetaminophen to treat fevers. Babies and children with vomiting and diarrhea who can’t drink enough liquids may need treatment for dehydration.

Infants (especially newborns and premature babies), people with weak immune systems, and healthy children and adults with severe adenovirus infections may need antiviral medicine and treatment in a hospital. Other treatment, depending on the symptoms, may include intravenous fluids, oxygen, and breathing treatments.

Eye – Red Without Pus

Is this your child’s symptom?

• Red or pink color of the white of the eye without any pus
• The eye looks irritated
• May have increased tears (a watery eye)
• Eyelid may be puffy (mildly swollen)
• No pus or yellow discharge
• Not caused by an eye injury

Causes of Pinkeye (Red Eye)

• Pinkeye Defined. When the white of the eye becomes pink or red, it’s called pinkeye. Conjunctivitis is the medical name for pinkeye. The conjunctiva is the membrane that covers the white of the eye. It becomes pink or red when it is infected or irritated. Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) has many causes.
• Viral Conjunctivitis is the main cause of pink or red eyes without pus. Most often, it is part of a cold.
• Bacterial Conjunctivitis. Pinkeye plus the eyelids are stuck together with pus. Most likely, this is a secondary infection of a viral conjunctivitis.
• Allergic Conjunctivitis from pollens. Most children with eye allergies also have nasal allergies (hay fever). Symptoms include sneezing and clear nasal discharge.
• Irritant Conjunctivitis from sunscreen, soap, chlorine in pool water, smoke, or smog. Irritants can also be transferred by touching the eye with dirty fingers. Irritants can be food or plant resins.
• Contact Lens Conjunctivitis is caused by poor use of disinfectant solution or lenses kept in overnight.
• Rebound Conjunctivitis from Vasoconstrictor Eye Drop Abuse. Usually occurs in teens who use daily OTC eye drops to remove mild redness. After the medicine wears off, the blood vessels become larger than they were to begin with. Similar to the rebound nasal congestion seen in chronic nose drop abuse.
• Foreign Object. If only one side has pinkeye, an object in the eye must be considered.
• Palpebral Cellulitis (Serious). A bacterial infection of the eyelids and skin around them. Causes the lids to be very red and swollen.

When to Call for Eye – Red Without Pus

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Eyelid is very red or very swollen
• Nonstop tears or blinking
• Vision is blurred
• Eye pain or discomfort is more than mild
• Turns away from any light
• Fever in baby less than 12 weeks old. Caution: do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen.
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Only 1 eye is red and lasts more than 24 hours
• Fever lasts more than 3 days
• Fever returns after being gone more than 24 hours
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• Age less than 1 month old
• Redness lasts more than 7 days
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

• Red eye is part of a cold
• Red eye is caused by mild irritant (such as soap, sunscreen, food, smoke, chlorine)

Seattle Children’s Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Care Advice

Treatment for Viral Eye Infections

1. What You Should Know About Viral Eye Infections:
   • Some viruses cause watery eyes (viral conjunctivitis).
   • It may be the first symptom of a cold.
   • It isn’t serious. You can treat this at home.
   • Colds can cause a small amount of mucus in the corner of the eye.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Eyelid Rinse:
   • Cleanse eyelids with warm water and a clean cotton ball.
   • Try to do this 3 times a day.
   • This usually will keep a bacterial infection from occurring.
3. Artificial Tears:
   • Artificial tears often make red eyes feel better. No prescription is needed. They can be used at any age.
   • Use 1 drop per eye 3 times a day as needed. Use them after cleansing the eyelids.
   • Antibiotic and vasoconstrictor eye drops do not help viral eye infections.
4. Eye Drops: How to Use
   • For a cooperative child, gently pull down on the lower lid. Put 1 drop inside the lower lid. Then ask your child to close the eye for 2 minutes. Reason: so the medicine will get into the tissues.
   • For a child who won’t open his eye, have him lie down. Put 1 drop over the inner corner of the eye. If your child opens the eye or blinks, the eye drop will flow in. If he doesn’t open the eye, the drop will slowly seep into the eye.
5. Contact Lenses:
   • Children who wear contact lenses need to switch to glasses until the infection is gone.
   • Reason: to prevent damage to the cornea.
6. Return To School:
   • Pinkeye with watery discharge is harmless. There is a slight risk it could be passed to others.
   • Children with pink eyes from a cold do not need to miss any school.
   • Pinkeye is not a public health risk. Keeping these children home is over-reacting. If asked, tell the school your child is on eye drops (artificial tears).
7. What to Expect:
   • Pinkeye with a cold usually lasts about 7 days.
   • Sometimes, it turns into a bacterial eye infection. You can tell because the eyelids will become
     stuck together with pus.
   • Pinkeye from an irritant usually goes away within 2 hours after it’s removed.
8. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Your child gets pus in the eye
   • Redness lasts more than 1 week
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

Treatment for Mild Eye Irritants

1. What You Should Know About Pinkeye from Irritants:
   • Most eye irritants cause redness of the eyes.
   • It that will go away on its own.
   • You can treat that at home.
2. Face Wash:
   • Wash the face with mild soap and water.
   • This will remove any irritants still on the face.
3. Eyelid Rinse:
   • Rinse the eyelids with warm water for 5 minutes.
4. Eye Drops:
   • Red eyes from irritants usually feel much better after being washed out.
   • At any age, if eyes remain bloodshot, you can use some artificial tears.
   • Dose: 1 drop, 3 times per day, as needed.
   • If more than 6 years old, switch to a vasoconstrictor eye drop (such as Visine). No prescription is needed.
   • Dose: use 1 drop. May repeat once in 8 to 12 hours. Never use for more than 3 days.
5. What to Expect:
   • After the irritant is removed, the eyes usually return to normal color.
   • This may take 1 to 2 hours.
6. Prevention:
   • Try to avoid future contact with the irritant.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Pus in the eye occurs
   • Redness lasts more than 7 days
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the ‘Call Your Doctor’ symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 11/10/2021

Last Revised: 10/21/2021

Copyright 2000-2021. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

Eye – Pus or Discharge

Is this your child’s symptom?

• Yellow or green discharge (pus) in the eye
• The eyelids are stuck (matted) together with pus after sleep
• After being wiped away, the pus comes back during the day
• Often caused by a bacterial eye infection

Causes of Eye with Pus

• Bacterial Conjunctivitis. This is a bacterial infection of the eye. The main symptom is eyelids stuck together with pus after sleep. Can be present in 1 or both eyes. A few viruses can cause pus in the eyes, but most don’t.
• Viral Conjunctivitis. This is a viral infection of the eyes. Main symptom is pinkness of the white parts of the eyes. The eyes are also watery. Most often, there is no pus. Usually on both sides.
• Normal Discharge. A small amount of dried mucus only in the corner of the eye. It may not even be pus. A collection of mucus can be cream colored. Often due to an irritant that got in the eye from dirty hands. Needs no treatment except wiping it away with warm water.
• Blocked Tear Duct. Present in 10% of newborns. Main symptom is a constant watery eye. Tears fill the eye and run down the face. This happens even when not crying. The eye is not red and the eyelid is not swollen. The wet eye may get secondary infections. This will cause the eyelids to become matted with pus.
• Foreign Object in Eye (Serious). Small particles such as sand, dirt or sawdust can be blown into the eyes. The grit often gets stuck under the upper eyelid. If not removed, the eye reacts by producing pus. The main clue is an eye infection that does not respond to antibiotic eyedrops. Older children complain of feeling something in the eye.
• Eyelid Cellulitis (Serious). This is a deep infection of the eyelid and tissues around it. The main symptom is a red, swollen, very tender eyelid. The eye can be swollen shut. Usually only on one side. This can be a problem caused by bacterial conjunctivitis. The eye infection spreads inward. More commonly this is caused by an ethmoid sinus infection. That type occurs without any pus in the eye.

Symptoms of Bacterial Eye Infection

• Yellow or green discharge or pus in the eye
• Dried pus on the eyelids and eyelashes
• The eyelashes are more likely to be stuck together after sleep
• The whites of the eye may or may not be red or pink
• The eyelids are often puffy

When to Call for Eye – Pus or Discharge

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Eyelid is very red or very swollen
• Vision is blurred
• Eye pain or discomfort is more than mild
• Fever over 104° F (40° C)
• Fever in baby less than 12 weeks old. Caution: do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen.
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Pus in the eye, but none of the symptoms above. Reason: you may need antibiotic eyedrops to treat it.
• Using antibiotic eye drops more than 3 days and pus is still there

Seattle Children’s Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Care Advice for Pus In the Eye

1. What You Should Know About Bacterial Eye Infections:
   • Bacterial eye infections are common with colds.
   • They respond to home treatment with antibiotic eye drops which need a prescription.
   • They are not harmful to vision.
   • Until you get some antibiotic eye drops, here is some advice that should help.
2. Remove Pus:
   • Remove all the dried and liquid pus from the eyelids. Use warm water and wet cotton balls to do this.
   • Do this whenever pus is seen on the eyelids.
   • Also, remove the pus before the antibiotic eye drops are put in. Reason: they will not work if you don’t.
   • The pus can spread infection to others. So, dispose of it carefully.
   • Wash your hands well after any contact with the pus.
3. Antibiotic Eye Drops: How to Use
   • For a cooperative child, gently pull down on the lower lid. Put 1 drop inside the lower lid. Then ask your child to close the eye for 2 minutes. Reason: so the medicine will get into the tissues.
   • For a child who won’t open his eye, have him lie down. Put 1 drop over the inner corner of the eye. If your child opens the eye or blinks, the eye drop will flow in. If he doesn’t open the eye, the drop will slowly seep into the eye.
4. Contact Lenses:
   • Children who wear contact lenses need to switch to glasses until the infection is gone.
   • Reason: to prevent damage to the cornea.
   • Disinfect the contacts before wearing them again.
   • Discard them if they are disposable.
5. Return to School:
   • Your child can return to school when the pus is a small amount.
   • Antibiotic eye drops should be used for 24 hours before going back.
   • The antibiotic eye drops can be used for other family members. Use only if they develop the same symptoms.
6. What to Expect:
   • With treatment, the yellow discharge should clear up in 3 days.
   • The red eyes may last up to a week.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Eyelid gets red or swollen
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the ‘Call Your Doctor’ symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 11/10/2021

Last Revised: 10/21/2021

Copyright 2000-2021. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

What is an Eye Cold?

The idea of getting a cold in your eyes might sound strange, but it is possible. This infection is more commonly known as pink eye, or viral conjunctivitis. This eye cold requires specific eye care in order to reduce the amount symptoms that may occur.

There are many different viruses that can cause an eye cold, but bacteria and allergies can also cause conjunctivitis. If you contract an eye cold, be very careful to stay out of contact of co-workers, friends and family members. The viruses that cause eye colds are highly contagious and can be transmitted through direct contact.

If your eyes are bothering you, there are a few symptoms to look out for that an eye cold presents. First is an increase in tearing or redness of the whites of your eyes. You might also experience some inflammation. If inflammation increases, your eyelids will get swollen and more sensitive. In some cases a clear or white discharge is present. If you begin to experience any of these symptoms it is very important that you see a doctor so they can properly diagnose you and provide the proper treatment.

With eye colds, the type of treatment depends on how the cold is caused. Conjunctivitis that is caused by bacteria or a STD is treated with antibiotics. If the eye cold is due to a virus, this cold is treated like a common cold and lasts about a week, however, viral conjunctivitis is very contagious. If you wear contacts, do not wear them during this time and switch to glasses. It is best to throw away the contacts worn while having pinkeye and get new ones. Also, don’t wear any eye makeup and chances are you will have to throw those away as well. Again, the three things we recommend are:

• Do not wear eye make-up.
• Wear glasses instead of contacts.
• Throw away the contacts and eye make-up used during cold.

If you experience any of the above symptoms please schedule an appointment with one of our eye care specialists to provide you with the proper diagnosis and treatment.

Leave a reply 90,000 ARVI: danger to eyes – MK

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ARVI is dangerous with complications: additional load on the cardiovascular system, exacerbation of chronic diseases, the risk of developing a secondary bacterial infection, which leads to the development of otitis media, bronchitis and even pneumonia

And viruses actively multiply on the mucous membrane of the eye, which leads to various kinds of inflammation.What to do in this case, how to help the eyes?

Influenza is sweeping across the country

Despite the fact that as such a flu epidemic has not yet been observed this year, Rospotrebnadzor weekly notes a gradual increase in the incidence of influenza and ARVI among all age groups of the population of Russia. And this means that you need to be on the alert and at any time be ready to fight the infection.

Eye inflammation is often viral in nature. With the defeat of viruses in many patients, conjunctivitis develops already in the first three for the disease.Moreover, it is usually one-sided at first.

Among the symptoms of inflammation: redness, stinging or pain in the eyes, gritty sensation, profuse lacrimation and mucous discharge, pronounced swelling of the eyelids. The cornea of ​​the eye is often affected.

What to do to prevent the development of an eye infection?

First: do not scratch or rub your eyes. Thus, you can bring the infection to the ocular surface, exacerbate the inflammation, and delay recovery.

Second: if you wear contact lenses, as soon as you feel the first signs of discomfort, be sure to remove them.After all, the small space that exists between the lens and the eyeball is an ideal place for viruses to multiply.

Third: while you are treating ARVI with antiviral drugs, do not forget about the eyes. In this case, to restore the mucous membranes and skin of the eyes, eye gels based on the substance dexpanthenol are suitable.

The substance has the same biological activity as pantothenic acid, but when applied topically it is better absorbed and provides faster relief.Among the eye gels with the active substance dexpanthenol, ophthalmologists note “Korneregel”: it stimulates the processes of regeneration of the surface of the eye, the cornea of ​​the eye, has an anti-inflammatory effect and moisturizes, relieving discomfort. If you buy the drug yourself, then before starting treatment, you need to find out about the existing contraindications, carefully read the instructions for use.

Fourth: always wash your hands after nasal hygiene, and then try not to touch your eyes with your hands.

Fifth: try not to use cloth handkerchiefs in contact with eyes, it is better to buy disposable paper.

Sixth: if the precautions did not help and you have the signs of eye inflammation described above, you need to seek help from an ophthalmologist, he will prescribe the appropriate

Follow these rules and take care of your eyes!

What is eye flu? | Healthy life | Health

According to media reports and German doctors, cases of infection with a new virus, which have already been dubbed eye flu, have become more and more frequent in Germany.An eye flu epidemic was already reported in 2016 in Bonn. Even then it became clear that the problem was serious, since no antibiotics acted on the patients. The consequence of this pathology was the outbreak of diseases of the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract.

At the same time, the causative agents of the disease have not yet been studied. There is also no adequate therapy. Now the only thing experts can talk about with confidence is about methods of preventing infection. So what exactly is eye flu and how to deal with it?

What are the symptoms of eye flu?

According to experts from the Federal Center for Health Education in Germany, in its first symptoms, eye flu is very similar to standard conjunctivitis.First, redness is noted in one eye, then swelling appears in the other. It may feel like there is some foreign body under the eyelid. As the disease progresses, severe itching occurs in the eyes, sensitivity to light is noted.

General weakness, an increase in body temperature to high values, and tearing may also occur.

The incubation period after infection is 5-12 days. And as soon as the first signs of the disease appear, a person can be called contagious to others.The eye flu is called insidious by doctors, because it is resistant to drugs, and is also considered highly contagious (that is, it is very easy to get infected with it). In addition, it is characterized by a long duration of complications – for example, many who have had an infection complain of “clouding” in their eyes for several more weeks. The only thing that can alleviate a person’s condition a little, doctors say, are eye drops with cyclosporine.

How does the infection occur?

Eye flu can be contracted directly through physical contact.For example, it might be a handshake where one person rubbed their eyes and then held out their hand to you. Viruses quickly enter the eyes and begin their destructive activity. Also, door handles and handrails are called as a source of hypothetical danger due to the possibility of viruses retaining on surfaces.

How is eye flu treated?

The disease, with timely treatment started, can last about a week, in some cases the cure takes two weeks. Therapy includes a complex intake of drugs – antipyretic, analgesic and local.Necessarily therapy should be under the supervision of a doctor, there should be no independent attempts to cope with the problem, since delaying time can lead to loss of vision.

What are the methods of preventing eye flu?

Doctors believe that personal hygiene is the main preventive measure for this disease. Wash your hands thoroughly and often. If infection does occur, attention should be paid to disinfecting surfaces in the house.

What complications can there be?

Untreated eye flu can lead to serious complications, including blepharitis and keratitis, which can cause suppuration in the eye and even complete loss of vision.In addition, a disease may appear that will negatively affect the ability to distinguish between surrounding objects – neuritis, that is, inflammation of the optic nerve.

See also:

90,000 Another gate. Should you be afraid of eye flu?

Pauline Janson

Health

24 march 2020

“This winter has been generous with new exotic infections.In addition to the main epidemiological horror story of the season – coronavirus – doctors are talking about the emergence of a new type of flu – eye flu. Like, it is he who is now attacking Germany. And there is no cure for it. How true are these rumors? ” N. Sleptsov

Illustration kzww / shutterstock.com

“There is no such nosological form (separate disease) as eye flu,” explains Igor AZNAURYAN, professor, doctor of medical sciences, ophthalmic surgeon.- Most likely, we are talking about viral conjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes), which can really occur as a complication of the flu.

Viral conjunctivitis, if left untreated, easily develops into keratoconjunctivitis, which affects the cornea of ​​the eye. Among the symptoms of the disease are edema, redness of the eyelids and eyes, burning, itching, sensation of a foreign body in the eye, fog or impaired visual acuity, the appearance of discharge.

By the way, the doctors managed to establish that the eyes – along with the hands and nose – can really become another “gateway” for the Wuhan infection.If you do not wash your hands for a long time and rub your eyes with them, the virus will enter the body upon contact with the mucous membrane of the eyes and will be carried by the lacrimal fluid. The consequences of such infection have not yet been fully identified – theoretically, the virus can infect the retina, but this effect occurred only in laboratory conditions, during experiments with intraocular administration of the virus.

Now researchers say that if this infection has entered the body through the eyes, then it can manifest itself as symptoms of conjunctivitis, but no more.Neither the Wuhan virus, nor the flu we are used to, lead to blindness.

The material was published in the newspaper “St. Petersburg Vedomosti” No. 052 (6650) dated 03.24.2020 under the heading “Another gate.”

Materials of rubric

90,000 Eye diseases in cats, symptoms and treatment

Due to an active lifestyle, as well as a hereditary predisposition, eye diseases in cats are quite common.The list of the most common causes includes injuries, foreign bodies and infections that develop as a result of contact with pathogenic microorganisms.

If you want to know how dangerous eye diseases in cats are – the photo will give an idea of ​​the possible consequences of refusing timely treatment. Therefore, the owner of the cat needs to study the symptoms and, when they appear, be sure to contact the veterinarian.

Eye Diseases in Cats: Symptoms

For cats, a “set” of ophthalmic pathologies is characteristic, which animals suffer from more often than this.This set includes several diseases. Each of them is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane. It manifests itself in redness of the mucous membrane, swelling of the eye, as well as in the appearance of purulent or mucous discharge. It is accompanied by increased photophobia.
• Blepharitis – inflammation of the eyelids. The eyelids, especially their edges, become red and swollen; if untreated, the animal begins to lose eyelashes. Due to severe itching, the cat often rubs its eyes with its paw.There may be an accumulation of purulent discharge in the corners of the damaged eye.
• Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea that occurs in superficial, deep or ulcerative forms. Symptoms are similar to those of conjunctivitis, but if untreated, the cornea begins to grow cloudy with the formation of a leucorrhoea. Perhaps irreversible damage to vision and its complete loss of the affected eye.
• Volvulus of the eyelids is a pathology in which the edges of the eyelids curl up and damage the conjunctiva and cornea.In the early stages, it is accompanied by profuse lacrimation; in the absence of therapy, it provokes keratitis. Conjunctivitis and other pathologies.

In addition to the listed eye diseases, cats have other diseases – glaucoma, cataracts, etc. Veterinary care is also required in the event of injuries or the ingestion of irritating substances into the eyes.

Eye diseases in cats: treatment

If you see symptoms of eye diseases in a cat (described or shown in the photo), then it is important to get an appointment with an ophthalmologist veterinarian as soon as possible.Only a qualified doctor can establish the nature of the disease and prescribe adequate treatment.

The general principles of therapy are as follows:

• To reduce irritation, rinse the animal’s eyes with a cotton swab soaked in warm water. Decoctions of medicinal plants can be used instead of warm water. This removes crusts and purulent discharge, which can become a source of bacterial infection.
• When the eyelids are damaged, their edges are smeared with ointments – streptomycin or synthomycin.
• Medicines are instilled into the affected eye as directed by the doctor. The most commonly used gentamicin-based veterinary drops.
• If necessary, drugs that reduce intraocular pressure will be included in the course of treatment.

In a number of cases – with volvulus of the eyelids or with a degenerative form of keratitis – treatment of eye diseases in cats is possible only with the use of surgical techniques.

General guidelines for the treatment of eye diseases in cats

To increase the effectiveness of therapy, you need:

• Follow the doctor’s recommendations, carry out the procedures according to the approved scheme.
• Refuse self-medication, especially with the use of ophthalmic drugs intended for humans.

A positive effect is also exerted by the intake of immunostimulating drugs and vitamins to animals – they increase the resistance of cats to eye infections.

How do “minor” illnesses affect vision?

21.10.2019

Let’s look at some examples

Many people are accustomed to treating a runny nose, caries or curvature of the spine as minor troubles, letting them go on their own.However, without proper treatment, they can lead to complications. Eyes, the most fragile of human organs, are also under threat. How exactly can harmless health problems affect vision? Let’s look at a few examples.

SARS and influenza

Colds are unpleasant in themselves, but no less problems are caused by their companions – barley and chalazion (a seal that looks like barley, but is chronic). To cope with them, medication is often enough, but sometimes you have to resort to the help of a surgeon.
Another common and very unpleasant complication in ARVI and influenza is viral conjunctivitis. If untreated, it can develop into a much more dangerous keratitis (inflammation of the cornea of ​​the eye). Therefore, it is important to consult an ophthalmologist at the first signs of infection (cramps in the eyes and their redness, eyelid edema, photophobia). In such cases, the doctor will usually prescribe eye drops, recommend wearing sunglasses, and avoid dust and smoke.
Other viral diseases can also lead to conjunctivitis.For example, chickenpox caused by herpesvirus. The eyes are affected by contact with the carrier of the virus, when he already has symptoms of the disease, or at the end of the incubation period.

Vladimir Zolotarev, ophthalmologist, head of Essilor Academy Russia, advises: “In the cold season, take extra care if you wear contact lenses , because they increase the risk of conjunctivitis with influenza or SARS. If you notice alarming symptoms in the form of a runny nose and sore throat, it is better to temporarily change your contact lenses to glasses. “

Allergy

Among other causes of conjunctivitis, ophthalmologists also distinguish allergic reactions. They are more or less manifested in ¹ / ₅ of the world’s population. The mucous membrane of the eyes can become inflamed both from seasonal (for example, to pollen or grass) and year-round (to dust mites or animal dander) allergies. In addition, giant papillary conjunctivitis can occur after prolonged contact lens wear.Signs of allergy are easily recognized: it often goes side by side with a runny nose, itchy eyes and swelling of the eyelids.
If conjunctivitis affects the mucous membrane of the eye, then with blepharitis, the eyelids become inflamed, reddening and swelling. Without proper treatment, blepharitis can even lead to blurred vision. In addition to external pathogens, this disease is provoked by low immunity and a lack of vitamins in the body.

Caries and other dental diseases

Caries is an infectious disease, and its focus gradually grows.It not only damages the adjacent teeth, but also affects other organs in especially advanced cases. Waving his hand at a “frivolous” disease, the patient, in addition to toothache, risks getting a whole fan of other troubles: an abscess of the orbit, inflammation of the periosteum of the bones forming it, diseases of the cornea and lens. Therefore, it is recommended to go to the dentist twice a year – at least as often as to the ophthalmologist.
Damage to the upper canines is especially dangerous, since their root system is located closest to the optic and facial nerves.But diseases of the teeth of the lower jaw, incisors and wisdom teeth, most likely, will not lead to such complications (however, it is still not worth delaying their treatment). Diseases of the middle and inner ear have similar consequences.

Stress and exhaustion of the nervous system

Many are firsthand familiar with the so-called nervous tic or scientific blepharospasm. And although twitching of the eyelid cannot be classified as a dangerous disease, turning into a chronic form, it can negatively affect the psyche.

Vladimir Zolotarev, ophthalmologist, head of Essilor Academy Russia notes): “Overwork, continuous work at the computer and even a lack of vitamins increase the chances of facing not only stress, but also blepharospasm. Visual fatigue syndrome and dry eyes are also professional problems of an office employee. Therefore, we must not forget about the hygiene of vision and timely rest ”.

However, when working for a long time at the monitor, the eyes are threatened not only by overwork, but also by blue-violet light harmful to the retina.To protect against it, special computer glasses or, for example, lenses with Crizal Prevencia coating, which at the same time make vision clear and filter out UV rays, will help.

Scoliosis

It would seem that the back has nothing to do with the organ of vision. But the fact remains: even incorrect posture can cause a decrease in vision clarity. The fact is that when the vertebrae are displaced, the blood supply to the brain deteriorates and myopia increases. However, do not blame the sedentary lifestyle for everything: as a result of postpartum injuries, 80% of children eventually acquire scoliosis.The treatment should involve not only an ophthalmologist, but also a neurologist and an orthopedic surgeon.

In the human body, everything is interconnected, and some diseases can give rise to others – sometimes in the most unpredictable way. Therefore, it is so important to take care of the health of the whole organism and treat the disease comprehensively, eliminating its cause.

MATERIAL PROVIDED BY THE PRESS SERVICE OF ESSILOR

causes of occurrence, symptoms of the disease, diagnosis and treatment methods

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-medication.In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For a diagnosis and correct treatment, you should contact your doctor.

Conjunctivitis: causes, classification, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Definition

Conjunctivitis is an inflammatory disease of the outer mucous membrane of the eyeball and the inner surface of the eyelids of various nature.

Conjunctivitis is the third most common eye disease, and in children, the infection is often bacterial in nature.

According to the definition used by Russian ophthalmologists, conjunctivitis is irritation of the conjunctiva of the eye in response to the influence of various factors, manifested by redness (hyperemia), edema and itching of the eyelids, often complicated by visual impairment due to the spread of the pathological process to the cornea – the outer membrane of the eye (with the development of keratoconjunctivitis).

Causes of conjunctivitis

The reasons for the appearance of conjunctivitis include non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene (infections enter the mucous membrane of the eyes through dirty hands), a decrease in local and general immunity, the presence of allergic diseases, as well as the use of lenses, improper care of them and the operation of damaged or expired lenses.

Classification of conjunctivitis

According to the duration of the course of , there are:

1. Acute – the symptoms of the disease bother for less than 4 weeks.
2. Chronic – the disease lasts more than a month.

For the reason that caused conjunctivitis:

1. Viral (the main causes are adenovirus, human herpes virus, enterovirus, molluscum contagiosum virus, etc.).
2. Bacterial. Usually, the bacterial forms of conjunctivitis develop as a result of the addition of a secondary infection to the already current viral conjunctivitis. Children are diagnosed more often than adults. The bacteria that cause the development of this pathology include Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Gonococcus, Streptococcus.
3. Allergic. Allergic conjunctivitis can be either an independent disease or be observed in conjunction with other allergic manifestations (for example, with hay fever). The following types of allergic conjunctivitis are distinguished – seasonal (for example, with the flowering of weeds and trees), year-round (if the allergen is constantly circulating in the air – animal dander, dust mites), contact (for example, an allergic reaction to decorative cosmetics).
4. Physical (due to physical or chemical effects).When the mucous membrane of the eye is exposed to a chemical (low-quality cosmetics, household chemicals, etc.) or a physical agent (excessive light intensity, radiation, mechanical action on the mucous membrane of the eye), nonspecific inflammation develops.
5. Autoimmune (urethrooculosinovial syndrome, for example, with a genitourinary or intestinal infection).

Conjunctivitis symptoms

Regardless of the cause, conjunctivitis always begins acutely.

The occurrence of photophobia most often indicates the involvement of the cornea in the process, which is fraught with a significant decrease in vision in the absence of proper treatment.

Viral conjunctivitis

1. Herpetic conjunctivitis first affects one eye, then the infection can go to the second. The development of the disease is sluggish, the symptoms are mild. The appearance of puffiness and redness of the eyelid is characteristic, there may be typical herpetic vesicles with transparent contents, with the addition of a secondary infection, mucopurulent discharge appears.
2. Adenovirus infection (pharyngoconjunctival fever) is an acute illness accompanied by a runny nose, fever, sore throat with possible enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes. The lesion of the eyes, as a rule, is gradual – at first one eye is affected, and after 72 hours – the second.
3. With conjunctivitis caused by molluscum contagiosum virus, mucus from the eye and the formation of nodules with a concave center on the eyelids are disturbed.
4. Viral conjunctivitis is also characterized by rapid spread in crowded groups (in kindergartens, schools).

Bacterial conjunctivitis

A distinctive symptom is the difficulty of opening the eyelids after sleep due to abundant purulent discharge, in the early stages of the disease – the appearance of white threads when the eyes are opened.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by a sharp redness of the conjunctiva of the eye, burning sensation in the eye, a feeling of a foreign body (sand), the appearance of pathological discharge (pus).

Newborn babies can develop gonococcal conjunctivitis due to infection during childbirth.More often manifests itself on the 2-5th day of life. A similar picture is when a child is infected with chlamydia.

Allergic conjunctivitis

The development of symptoms of the disease occurs immediately after contact with an allergen or after a short time (up to 48 hours). Profuse lacrimation is observed. Over time, the secreted thickens, with the addition of a secondary infection, it becomes cloudy, becomes purulent. The patient complains of itching, burning in the eyes, redness of the eyelids (the lesion is often symmetrical (both eyes at once)).Soon, a runny nose (this is associated with edema of the nasolacrimal canal), photophobia (when the cornea is involved in the process), and decreased visual acuity may join these symptoms.

In the course of the disease, acute allergic conjunctivitis is isolated (if contact with an allergen is single or very rare, this disease quickly passes, in mild cases it is enough just to stop contact with the allergen) and chronic (in this case, contact is regular, the symptoms are wavy and are not very pronounced , – more often if you are allergic to house dust mites).

Physical conjunctivitis

Symptoms of this disease develop immediately after exposure to an irritating agent: burning, discomfort, itching, sensation of a foreign body in the eye, lacrimation, redness of the eyelids and eyeball.

Urethrooculosynovial syndrome

Urethrooculosinovial syndrome (formerly called Reiter’s syndrome) develops in response to the penetration of sexually transmitted infections into the body (in particular, chlamydia), autoimmune inflammation, when the own cells of the synovial membrane of the eye and joint, the urethra is perceived by the body as foreign.In addition to the eye symptoms of conjunctivitis, the patient is worried about pain and swelling of large joints. Conjunctivitis is often purulent in nature. Perhaps the development of iridocyclitis – inflammation of the middle (choroid) membrane of the eye, including the iris, while there is pain in the eyeball and its hyperemia (redness), corneal opacity, lacrimation, photophobia are characteristic.

Diagnosis of conjunctivitis

Diagnosis of the disease is based primarily on the examination of the affected eye, collection of anamnestic data to identify the factor that caused the development of conjunctivitis.An obligatory part of diagnostic measures is visual acuity testing. If necessary, scrapings of the conjunctival mucosa are taken (in particular, for the detection of DNA of microorganisms), sowing of pathological discharge from the eye, including for an expanded range of antibiotics and for the detection of molluscum contagiosum. Consultations of related specialists are often required (for example, an otolaryngologist, an allergist, a rheumatologist,
pediatrician).

Influenza and acute respiratory viral infections

Influenza and acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) remain until now an unpredictable problem, despite all the advances in medicine.They cause significant damage to the health of the population and the economy of countries around the world.

As a rule, epidemic outbreaks of influenza and ARVI most often begin in the cold season, suddenly and quickly spread among susceptible people. Schoolchildren are most often the primary sources of influenza infection in family foci.

What is included in the group of acute respiratory viral infections?

Acute respiratory viral infections is a collective term that combines a number of widespread infectious diseases, mainly of viral etiology.A common feature is respiratory tract damage. The most common and well-known ARVIs include: influenza, adenovirus infection, parainfluenza, rhinovirus infection, and others.

How does the infection take place?

The source of infection for all acute respiratory viral infections is a sick person or a virus carrier. The transmission of infection occurs through airborne droplets when talking, coughing, sneezing and even just breathing. A short incubation period is characteristic for ARVI: from the moment of infection and the appearance of clinical signs, it takes from 12 to 48 hours.

How does the disease manifest itself?

The leading clinical signs of influenza are acute onset with the development of symptoms of severe intoxication on the first day: high temperature (38-400), severe headache with typical localization in the forehead, eyebrows, eyeballs. Aching pains in bones, muscles, severe weakness, weakness. The patient’s face and eyeballs are hyperemic. And only on the 2-3rd day of the disease a runny nose, dry cough appear. In fact, a person with the flu feels so bad that he has to stay in bed.Acute events last 3-7 days.

What is the danger of influenza?

Influenza is dangerous because of its complications. As complications after the flu, the development of pneumonia, otitis media is possible, in young children – laryngeal edema, complications of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems are also possible.

Influenza dramatically weakens the body’s defenses. Influenza is especially dangerous for young children and the elderly.

How to protect yourself from influenza?

There is specific and non-specific prophylaxis of influenza and ARVI.Specific prevention includes vaccination, which is recognized worldwide as the leading method of protection against influenza. Vaccinations are carried out in the pre-epidemic season, for which there are various vaccines of both Russian and foreign production. The composition of the vaccines is updated annually in accordance with the WHO recommendations.

As a non-specific prophylaxis to increase the body’s resistance to ARVI pathogens, medications can be used: vitamins A, C and group B, herbal preparations: eleutherococcus extract, tincture of aralia, ginseng.

General hygienic measures play an important role in the fight against influenza and ARVI: ventilation, wet cleaning of rooms, adherence to the rules of personal hygiene. During the period of the onset of the flu, it is not recommended to attend events with a large crowd of people.