What is pink eye? How do you get it? What are the symptoms and treatments? Get all the facts about conjunctivitis in this detailed overview.

Understanding Conjunctivitis: An Overview

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, allergies, and irritants. Regardless of the underlying cause, conjunctivitis often results in redness, swelling, and sometimes a discharge from the affected eye(s).

Causes of Conjunctivitis

The main causes of conjunctivitis include:

Viral Conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis is the most common type of pink eye. It is highly contagious and often spreads through crowded environments like schools and daycare centers. This form of conjunctivitis is typically caused by the same viruses that lead to the common cold, resulting in symptoms like burning, redness, and a watery discharge.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis is also contagious and can be spread through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. This type of pink eye often causes a thick, yellow or green discharge from the affected eye(s).

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by an immune system reaction to allergens, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander. Unlike viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, this form of pink eye is not contagious. Symptoms often include itchy, watery eyes and may be accompanied by other allergy symptoms like sneezing or a runny nose.

Irritant-Induced Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis can also be caused by various irritants, such as chemicals, fumes, or foreign objects in the eye. This type of pink eye is not contagious and usually resolves once the irritant is removed.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

The most common symptoms of conjunctivitis include:

• Redness or inflammation of the eye(s)
• Itching, burning, or a gritty sensation in the eye(s)
• Increased tear production or a watery discharge
• Sensitivity to light
• Swelling of the eyelids
• Crusting or matting of the eyelids, especially in the morning

The specific symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause of the conjunctivitis.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Most cases of conjunctivitis are mild and can be managed with self-care measures. However, it’s important to seek medical attention if:

• The pain or vision problems are worsening
• There is a lot of thick, purulent discharge
• The condition does not improve within a week
• There is blistering or a rash on the eyelids
• The swelling is increasing

Severe or worsening symptoms may indicate a more serious form of conjunctivitis that requires prompt medical treatment.

Treatment Options for Conjunctivitis

The treatment for conjunctivitis depends on the underlying cause:

Viral Conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis typically resolves on its own within 7-10 days. Treatment may include the use of over-the-counter eye drops or compresses to relieve symptoms.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis is often treated with prescription antibiotic eye drops or ointments to clear the infection and prevent complications.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis may be managed with antihistamine or anti-inflammatory eye drops, as well as avoidance of the triggering allergens.

Irritant-Induced Conjunctivitis

Removing the irritant and using cold compresses or lubricating eye drops can help alleviate symptoms of irritant-induced conjunctivitis.

In some cases, oral antibiotics or other medications may be prescribed by a healthcare provider to treat the underlying cause of the conjunctivitis.

Preventing the Spread of Conjunctivitis

To prevent the spread of contagious forms of conjunctivitis, it’s important to practice good hygiene, including:

• Washing your hands frequently, especially before and after touching your eyes
• Avoiding touching or rubbing your eyes
• Avoiding sharing personal items like towels, washcloths, or eye makeup
• Staying home from work, school, or daycare until the infection clears up

By understanding the causes, symptoms, and appropriate treatment options for conjunctivitis, you can effectively manage this common eye condition and prevent its spread to others.

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) in Adults: Condition, Treatments, and Pictures – Overview

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Images of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Overview

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is an inflammation of the tissue on the surface of the eye and/or the inside lining of the eyelids. The more common causes of pink eye include:

• Infection (viruses, bacteria)
• Inflammatory causes such as chemicals, fumes, dust, and debris
• Allergies
• Injuries
• Oral genital contact with someone who might be infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or herpes

Who’s at risk?

Pink eye is very common all over the world. Nearly all people have it at one time or another. Pink eye is often caused by an irritant in the eye(s) or infection from someone else. Age, sex, ethnicity, and race play no role in who becomes infected with pink eye. Failure to do the following increases your chances of getting pink eye:

• Follow good hygiene, such as washing hands regularly.
• Use proper eye protection when in conditions that might increase your risk, such as working in dusty or fume-filled areas.
• Avoid allergic influences that might affect you, such as perfumes, weeds, mold, etc.

Signs and Symptoms

The eye is usually pink to red with an irritated appearance. There may or may not be a discharge (tears, mucous, or pus), and there may be sensitivity to bright light. There may be burning, itching, a sandy or gravely feeling, and even pain. The lids may be stuck together in the morning upon waking. Vision might be blurred by the mucous or excess tears in the eye(s). Pink eye typically affects both eyes.

Self-Care Guidelines

• Wash hands frequently so as not to contaminate others or reinfect yourself.
• Separate your towels and washcloths so that others will not be at risk.
• If itching is the most irritating feature, apply cold compresses.
• If swelling is bothersome, apply cold compresses.
• If there is a lot of discharge, especially if mucous-like, use warm compresses.
• If there is aching and/or pain, use warm compresses.
• Wash the eyelids very gently and soak off debris; do not pick at it.
• Never rub the eyes, as this can spread the problem.
• Do not share contact lens paraphernalia with an affected person.

Most over-the-counter medications will soothe the eye, but, since most pink eye is viral and will go away on its own within 7–10 days, no other medications are usually needed.

Note: Do not rub or touch your eyes when you get a cold or upper respiratory infection, as this can spread the disease to the eyes.

When to Seek Medical Care

• Pain is increasing.
• Vision is worsening.
• There is blistering and/or rash on the eyelids.
• Swelling is increasing.
• There is a lot of thick mucus secreting.
• The condition is not getting better within a week.

Note: Thick, pus-laden discharge may be from a possible blinding form of pink eye and requires urgent medical care.

Treatments Your Physician May Prescribe

Topical antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergy drops may all be prescribed by your doctor. If the pink eye is recurring frequently, oral antibiotics may be prescribed. If the pink eye is related to another disease elsewhere in the body (such as a respiratory disease or an STD), that disease will need treatment as well.

Trusted Links

MedlinePlus: Pinkeye
Clinical Information and Differential Diagnosis of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

References

Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 2^nd ed, pp. 398-401, 404-411. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, 2004.

Conjunctivitis: What Is Pink Eye?

Pink eye (often called conjunctivitis) is when the conjunctiva is irritated by an infection or allergies. Your eyes are red and swollen (inflamed), and sometimes they have a sticky discharge. You can have conjunctivitis in one or both eyes. Some types of pink eye are very contagious (easily spread from person to person).

What Are the Main Causes of Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis can be caused by a virus, bacteria or by allergies. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are easily spread from person to person. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.

Viral conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis is the most common type of conjunctivitis. This type of pink eye is very contagious and often spreads through schools and other crowded places. It usually causes burning, red eyes with a watery discharge. Viral conjunctivitis is usually caused by the same virus that causes runny nose and sore throat in people with the common cold.

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis is also very contagious. An infection from bacteria causes this form of pink eye. With bacterial conjunctivitis, you have sore, red eyes with a lot of sticky pus in the eye. Some bacterial infections, however, may cause little or no discharge. Sometimes the bacteria that cause pink eye are the same that cause strep throat.

Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is a type of pink eye that comes from an allergic reaction to pollen, animals, cigarette smoke, pool chlorine, car fumes or something else in the environment. It is not contagious. Allergic pink eye makes your eyes very itchy, red and watery, and the eyelids may get puffy.

How Do You Get Conjunctivitis?

Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can be quite contagious. The most common ways to get the contagious form of pink eye include:

• Direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, usually through hand-to-eye contact.
• Spread of the infection from bacteria living in the person’s own nose and sinuses.
• Not cleaning contact lenses properly. Using poorly fitting contact lenses or decorative contacts are risks as well.

Children are the people most likely to get pink eye from bacteria or viruses. This is because they are in close contact with so many others in school or day care centers. Also, they don’t practice good hygiene.

How Do I Know If I’m Getting Pink Eye?

Your pink eye symptoms may include:

What Is the Best Treatment for Conjunctivitis?

Treating your pink eye usually depends on the type of conjunctivitis you have.

• If your conjunctivitis is caused by a viral infection, there are no specific treatments. Your body fights the virus on its own. Placing a cool, wet washcloth on your eyes can help make them feel more comfortable.
• If your pink eye is caused by a bacterial infection, your ophthalmologist may prescribe antibiotic eye drops, depending on how severe your symptoms are. Antibiotics do not treat an infection caused by a virus or by allergy.
• If your conjunctivitis is due to allergies, you might be told to use certain eye drops to help with the itchiness and puffiness.
• Sometimes conjunctivitis can be caused by a chemical or other substance in your eye. In this case, rinse the eye free of the substance. You might be told to use certain eye drops or ointment for the eyes.

Conjunctivitis usually goes away on its own within 1–2 weeks. If your symptoms last longer than that, you should see your ophthalmologist. He or she can make sure you don’t have a more serious eye problem.

How Do You Stop Conjunctivitis from Spreading?

Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can spread from person to person. Follow these tips so you will not infect other people or re-infect yourself.

• Use a clean towel or tissue each time you wipe your face and eyes.
• Wash your hands very often. Always wash them before and after you eat, when you go to the bathroom, or after you sneeze or cough.
• Try not to touch your eyes. If you do, wash your hands right away.
• Bacteria can live in makeup. This can cause pink eye and even a dangerous infection of the cornea. Do not use eye makeup while your eyes are infected. Replace your makeup if you have an eye infection. And never share eye makeup with others.
• Make sure to clean your contact lenses exactly as your ophthalmologist recommends.

Eye Infections – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis

The Facts

Many of the viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi that can invade the human body are also capable of attacking the surface or interior of the eye. Infectious eye diseases can be categorized in two ways.

Firstly, doctors normally talk about the part of the eye that’s infected or inflamed. Conjunctivitis, for example, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the front surface of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. Other possible locations of inflammation include the eyelid (blepharitis), the cornea (keratitis), the liquid inside the eye (vitritis), the retina and the blood vessels that feed it (chorioretinitis), or the optic nerve (neuroretinitis). These are just a few examples – the eye is a complex organ of many parts.

Secondly, eye infections are also classified according to what’s causing them. Ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS), for example, is caused by a fungus (the condition is a type of chorioretinitis). It generally attacks the blood supply of the retina, on the inner rear surface of the eye.

The most common eye infection is conjunctivitis caused by an adenovirus (a type of common cold virus). This type of infectious conjunctivitis is sometimes called pinkeye and is most common in children. Viral conjunctivitis is very contagious because the virus can be spread from the eye to hands that then touch doorknobs and other surfaces that other people use.

There are other causes of infectious conjunctivitis, such as bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. Bacterial infections occur most commonly in children and tend to result in longer-lasting cases of pinkeye.

Causes

Infectious conjunctivitis is the most common cause of pinkeye around the world. Causes of infectious conjunctivitis are numerous and can usually be classified as viral, bacterial, or fungal.

Some of the most common causes of serious eye infection include:

Ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS): Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection of the lungs, which is caught by inhaling spores. It’s common in river valleys around the world. It’s far more common in the US than in Canada, and is concentrated in the Midwestern states located in the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. Approximately 60% to 90% of people living in these areas have been exposed to the fungus during their lifetime. Most infections do not cause symptoms and resolve on their own. In a small fraction of cases, the fungus migrates to the retina many years or decades later. Once there, it damages the retina, particularly the macula (the vital centre part where the vision cells are most concentrated). It causes symptoms and retinal decay very similar to macular degeneration, and can destroy the central part of the field of vision. Although only a tiny minority of people with histoplasmosis go on to suffer OHS, the fungus is so common that OHS is a significant infectious cause of legal blindness in Americans between the ages of 20 to 40 years. Anyone with a history of histoplasmosis should see a doctor if they notice any changes in their vision.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea: These extremely common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also cause conjunctivitis. The infection gets into the eye either directly through genital fluids such as semen, or when infected people rub their eyes after touching infected genital areas. Babies born to genitally infected women are at especially high risk of eye infection. Neisseria gonorrheae is one of the few bacteria capable of penetrating the protective layers of the eye, causing inner-eye infection.

Herpes simplex: This widely prevalent virus can be caught as a skin disease (cold sores) or as an STI. Herpes viruses can infect the eye by touching an active lesion (cold sore or blister) then touching the eye. Herpes infections in the eye tend to infect the top layer but it can cause pitting and ulceration of the cornea. Chronic herpes infection, which is uncommon, can cause acute retinal necrosis (ARN), particularly in men. This causes a major destruction of retinal tissue, and causes dramatic damage to vision. Herpes simplex keratitis is a major cause of blindness worldwide.

Shingles (herpes zoster, varicella zoster): Shingles are a reactivation of the virus that initially causes chickenpox. The sores known as shingles are infectious and can cause chickenpox in others. They can also cause ocular infection if you touch the eyes after touching a sore. While herpes simplex is the leading cause of acute retinal necrosis in the young, varicella zoster is the leading cause in people over 50 years of age because shingles is more common in this age group.

Bacterial keratitis: This is an infection of the cornea by common bacteria found on the skin and in the mouth and nose. Normally, these bacteria can’t penetrate the outer layer of the eye, and cause only conjunctivitis. However, eye injury, lack of oxygen due to contact lenses, infection from using contact lenses too long, or a weak immune system can all facilitate entry into the cornea, the clear layer in the front of the eye. Fungi can cause fungal keratitis under similar circumstances.

Infections that can cause conjunctivitis or keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) include:

• the STIs syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes simplex, and hepatitis B
• tuberculosis
• leprosy
• Lyme disease
• acanthamoeba – a common parasite
• crab lice – these tiny animals can live and breed in your eyelashes and are invisible to the naked eye
• Epstein-Barr virus or infectious mononucleosis
• mumps, measles, influenza, or shingles
• onchocerciasis (river blindness)
• sarcoidosis – the cause of this condition is not clear, but it may be due to an infection
• mycosis (general name for fungal infections) – Candida, the fungus that causes thrush, is one of more than 60 types of fungus that can infect the eye

Infections that can damage the retina and the inner eye include:

• syphilis
• tuberculosis
• toxoplasmosis
• sarcoidosis
• herpes simplex
• varicella zoster (shingles and chickenpox)
• gonorrhea
• histoplasmosis
• cytomegalovirus, which doesn’t affect healthy people but is the leading cause of blindness in people with HIV/AIDS









Symptoms and Complications




Obviously, with so many possible causes, the symptoms of eye infection can vary a lot. What a person feels generally depends more on where the infection is rather than on what’s causing it.

Common symptoms of conjunctivitis include:

• redness and itching
• discharge
• viral conjunctivitis: discharge is usually watery or mucous-like
• bacterial conjunctivitis: discharge is thick and can be white, yellow, or green
• feels like there is sand in the eye
• crusting over of the eyelid

Common symptoms of keratitis and other frontal eye infections are:

• pain, itching, or sensation of a foreign body in the eye which is often sudden in onset
• photosensitivity (aversion to bright light)
• redness or small red lines in the white of the eye
• discharge of yellow or green pus that may make the eyes crusty upon waking up – a possible sign of bacterial infection
• tears
• swollen eyelids
• constant involuntary blinking (blepharospasm)
• reduced vision

Unfortunately, diseases that damage the retina, the optic nerve, or the blood vessels that feed them often cause no pain at all. The primary symptom is deteriorating vision, which is usually stoppable but not reversible. That’s why it’s vital to get your eyes checked regularly. One possible symptom of internal eye damage is floaters, tiny fragments in the liquid inside the eye. You see tiny bubbles or dark spots slowly falling through your line of vision. Everyone has a few floaters – you should only worry if you notice a sudden increase in them.

Almost all eye infections accompany disease in some other part of the body, even if it’s just a cold. Some but not all of these diseases have clear symptoms. Be on the lookout for eye pain or visual symptoms if you have any of the diseases listed in the “Causes” section of this article.

Serious complications of eye infection include damage to the retina and the formation of scars and ulcers in the cornea that can obstruct vision. Some infections, like syphilis, can also provoke glaucoma. Moreover, eye problems are often the only visible symptom of wider infections. Chlamydia, for example, often causes no genital symptoms, but can cause infertility and heart damage if left untreated.










Making the Diagnosis




Ophthalmologists and optometrists are trained to recognize various eye infections by the appearance of the surface of the eye and the retina, the progress of the disease, whether it’s in one eye or both, and your medical history. There’s a wide range of lighted devices for looking at the cornea and retina.

If there’s pus or discharge from the eye, it can be cultured to identify the organism. Quite possibly, you’ll also be tested for common diseases like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes simplex.

You should see your doctor or eye care professional if you have:

• eye pain, altered vision, severe redness of the eye, or continuous discharge from the eye
• recurring eye problems
• eye problems along with a chronic condition such as diabetes
• changes in pupil size
• recent injury to the eye
• sensitivity to light

You should also see your doctor or eye care professional if:

• you have been treating symptoms yourself for 48 hours and no improvement is noted
• the condition worsens with treatment
• the condition has lasted longer than 48 hours without treatment












Treatment and Prevention




Viral conjunctivitis usually improves in a few days without treatment. Broad-spectrum antibiotic eye drops will deal with most cases of bacterial conjunctivitis or keratitis, while particular antibiotics are used to treat gonorrhea and chlamydia. All of these diseases can be cured.

Most fungal and parasitic infections are also treatable by various medications. The exception is histoplasma, which can’t even be detected in the retina, though we know it’s there. The only current treatment is laser cauterization of the affected area, which dramatically slows the destruction of the macula (the centre of the retina). This operation is done in hopes of saving the existing vision, though in some cases it may cause some vision loss of its own. It often has to be repeated several times. There’s still no way to repair the damage already done, though new surgical techniques are under study.

Herpes simplex can’t be eradicated from the body, but flare-ups in the eye can often be fought off with topical (surface-applied) or oral (taken by mouth) antiviral medications.  Corneal transplant may be necessary if there is severe scarring or vision loss from the infection. Serious diseases like tuberculosis, syphilis, and toxoplasmosis need to be treated for the body as a whole before eye problems will clear up.

There’s not much you can do to avoid a disease like histoplasmosis, unless you avoid endemic areas (areas where the fungus is found, such as river valleys). You’ll notice, however, that a great many eye infections are actually complications of sexually transmitted or genital diseases such as syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, crab lice, herpes simplex, thrush, and hepatitis B. If you have herpes simplex, avoid touching your eyes if you have an active cold sore or blister.

Hand-washing is extremely important in preventing the spread of organisms that can cause infection. Sharing of towels, pillow cases, wash clothes, and makeup should always be avoided to prevent spread of an eye infection.

You can cut your risk of eye infection by observing safe sexual practices. That means using condoms, and, ideally, limiting your number of sexual partners. It’s also important to get checked for STIs regularly, since many of these diseases can go unnoticed until damage has been done, and you can infect other people. If you do have one of these diseases, keep your hands clean and away from your eyes.

The same is true of cold sores, shingles, chickenpox, measles, mumps, flu, and the common cold. All of these diseases produce spots, rashes, or mucus that carry the organism. Wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your eyes. Watch children carefully and never let them wipe their nose with an upward stroke of the hand.

If you or a member of your family has an eye infection you should use separate linens and a fresh facecloth and towel for each cleaning. Cosmetics may be a source of recurrent infection, so avoid them if possible if you have eye problems. Be sure to clean the eye area, especially before applying any medication and when there is any type of discharge from the eye.

If you wear contact lenses, care for them and throw them away according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to wash your hands before putting them in.

Watch for tree branches and twigs when walking in the woods. Getting scratched on the eye by organic matter is another way of getting a fungal eye infection.

Finally, avoid excessive sun exposure by wearing sunglasses, as this can weaken the protective layer of the eye.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2021. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Eye-Infections

Eye doctor shares graphic pictures to warn against sleeping in contacts

The last thing most people want to do is get out of bed and take out their contacts, but stomach-churning photos of an eye ulcer that developed after one person slept with soft contact lenses in might change your mind.

The pictures, which have been viewed over 30 million times, were posted to Facebook by Dr. Patrick Vollmer, an ophthalmologist at the Vita Eye Clinic in Shelby, North Carolina.

Volmer explains that the patient developed a pseudomonas bacterial infection that lead to an ulcer.

The condition described is called contact lens-related Pseudomonas keratitisis, an inflammation of the cornea. It is a medical emergency and can cause permanent blindness if not treated immediately with antibiotics.

“Despite treatment, the patient is very likely to suffer some loss of vision,” Volmer said.

The Pseudomonas microbe is present everywhere, mainly in soil, plants, animals and water. It likes warm, moist environments and tends to infect people with compromised immune systems, though any healthy individual can become infected under the right circumstances.

The flesh-eating bacteria is commonly found in water, which is why doctors tell people to remove their contacts before hopping in the shower or a swimming pool.

After swimming and sleeping in his contacts, a 34-year-old man developed bacterial and viral infections in his eye.Courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

“I don’t ever recommend sleeping in any brand of SOFT contact lenses. The risks outweigh the benefits every time,” Vollmer said on Facebook. “It takes seconds to remove your contacts but a potential lifetime of irreversible damage if you choose to leave them in. People need to see these images and remind themselves/family/friends to also be aware of contact lens misuse.”

Around a third of people who wear contact lenses have reported sleeping or napping in them. People who do have six to eight times the risk of developing eye infections, according to an Aug. 16 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The design of contact lenses makes it easier for people to develop infections. Contacts need to lay directly on the eye, but this allows bacteria and viruses to easily become trapped. When people don’t take their contacts out, the germs fester. Sleeping in contacts prevents the eye from being able heal itself.

“Although extended wear contact lenses are safer for continuous use overnight then they were years ago, they can still set up the eye for troublesome and even damaging infections if worn while sleeping,” said Dr. John Torres, NBC News’ medical correspondent. “Manufacturers and the FDA have approved some contacts for overnight use, but many eye doctors recommend removing them before going to bed anyway to prevent any of these issues.”

Related

“If left in overnight, it’s very important to follow the manufacturer’s direction for cleaning and disposing of the lenses carefully and to follow up with your eye doctor if you notice any pain, discharge, redness or vision changes,” Torres added.

Some lenses are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for overnight wear, but even those are associated with an increased risk for infection when worn overnight. These overnight-wear lenses are considered class 3 medical devices, those that have the greatest risk of harm.

Pseudomonas infections are rare and may not represent the typical infections most eye doctors see. Emergency eye infections occur in 1 in every 500 contact lens users. For context, an estimated 45 million Americans wear contact lenses according to the CDC.

It is unknown if the patient referred to in the Facebook post was susceptible to infections or had other underlying health conditions that could have made them more likely to develop the extreme condition.

The CDC recommends that contact lens wearers take simple steps to prevent contact-related complications such as not sleeping or swimming in lenses and replacing lenses and storage cases when recommended.

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Dr. Shamard Charles is a physician-journalist for NBC News and Today, reporting on health policy, public health initiatives, diversity in medicine, and new developments in health care research and medical treatments.  

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Conjunctivitis (con junk tihv EYE tiss), or “pinkeye” is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner part of the eyelids (Picture 1).

Conjunctivitis may be caused by germs (viruses or bacteria), an allergy, or by something that gets into the eye. Conjunctivitis caused by germs is very contagious.

The germs are passed from one person to another by touching the infected eye or tears and then touching a healthy eye. If you think your child has conjunctivitis, it is best to see a doctor right away.

Symptoms

Conjunctivitis usually begins in one eye and may spread to the other eye. Symptoms include:

• White part of the eye appears red or pink
• The eye feels “sandy” or “gritty”
• Pus (white or yellow discharge from the eye) or clear fluid that’s usually worse in the morning
• Crustiness around the eye after sleeping, or an eye that is sealed shut after sleeping
• Puffiness around the eyes
• Eyes are sensitive to light

What to Do at Home

• Wipe any discharge from the eye with a clean, wet tissue. Start near the nose and wipe toward the ear. Blot the eye dry with a clean, dry tissue. Throw away the used tissues in a plastic bag and tie it closed.
• If the doctor prescribes antibiotic eye drops or ointment, apply as directed while your child has symptoms. Keep using the drops at least 3 days after the symptoms are gone.
• Do not use the eye drops or ointment for more than 2 weeks. Refer to one of these Helping Hands: HH-V-14 Eye Drops, or HH-V-20 Eye Ointment.
• Do not touch the infected eye with the eye dropper or the tip of the eye ointment. This may get germs in the medicine.
• Apply cool compresses to the eyes. Cold water on a clean washcloth works well.
• The child may need to wear sunglasses when in the sun.
• Children with contact lenses need to switch to glasses for a while to prevent damage to the cornea of the eye.

How to Prevent the Spread of Infection

• Frequent hand washing by all family members will help prevent the spread of conjunctivitis.
• Do not share towels and washcloths.
• Wash all towels and washcloths in hot, soapy water.
• Do not share bed pillows until the infection is gone.
• When wiping the eyes, use only unscented facial tissues that can be thrown away after each use.  Do not use handkerchiefs.
• Do not use the same tissue to wipe both eyes.
• Do not wear eye makeup until the eyes are healed.  It’s best to throw away eye makeup and buy new makeup after the eyes are healed.
• Do not wear contact lenses until the eyes are completely healed. If the lenses are disposable or semi-disposable, they should be discarded along with the case and a new case and pair of lenses should be used. If the lenses are not disposable, be sure to clean them well with contact lens solution and consult with your eye doctor before you use them again.
• Do not return to school or childcare until the prescribed eye medicine has been used for at least 24 hours.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your child’s doctor if any of the following occurs:

• No improvement after 3 days of using the prescribed medicine.
• Eye movement becomes painful.
• Eyes become painful or especially sensitive to light.
• Vision is blurred and repeated blinking does not help.
• Eyelids become swollen and red.
• Another family member has symptoms of conjunctivitis.

If you need a doctor for your child, call the Nationwide Children’s Referral and Information Line at (614) 722-KIDS.

Conjunctivitis (PDF)

HH-I-114 6/88, Revised 10/15 Copyright 1988, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Common Reasons, Symptoms and Treatment

Writer, Mom of a Fab Fur Fam of Five | + posts

Lynn is a writer and long-time Learning & Development Manager at a large PNW retailer. She’s also mom to 3 dogs & 2 cats!

A cat’s eyes are beautiful, expressive, and provide important indicators when they aren’t feeling well. Eye infections in cats are very common, with some infections easily clearing up on their own, and some showing signs of a more serious illness. Knowing the most common causes and symptoms for cat eye infections can help you prevent them – or quickly deal with them – if you ever find your cat looking at you with weepy or gunky eyes.

Let’s start by looking at the anatomy of cat eyes:

Cat eyes are very similar to human eyes with some very cool differences.

First, cats have elliptical pupils, allowing them to adjust to changes in light much quicker than we can with our round pupils. 

Second, cats only need 1/6th of the light we do because they have a gel-like substance in the back of their eye called a tapetum lucidum (Image). The gel reflects light, allowing them to see better at night.

The third cool feature of a cat’s eyes is the Nictitating membrane AKA “the third eyelid” – its purpose is to protect the eye from injury when cats are roaming or hunting. It also protects the eye when there’s inflammation by partially closing. With these complex anatomy additions, your cat’s eyes are critical for navigating their world – making it all the more important to keep them healthy.

How will I know if my cat is having eye problems?

A healthy cat’s eyes are clear, bright, the pupils are both the same size, and there’s no excessive discharge or puffiness. When you look at your feline friend’s eyes, there should be no cloudiness and you should not see the third eyelid. If your kitty’s eyes don’t look as healthy as they should, they could be suffering from an eye infection.

Let’s look at some common types of eye infections in cats, and their causes. 

Allergies: If your cat is sneezing, this could be why.

Cats get allergies just like dogs and humans do. Allergies can come from many sources and need a vet’s diagnosis to confirm them.

Common allergens:

• Fleas
• Pollens
• Chemicals
• Smoke
• Shampoo
• Ear mites and other parasites

Symptoms:

• Excessive itching or scratching – flea allergies can happen with a single bite
• Watery or runny eyes or nose
• Sudden snoring – when the back of the throat gets inflamed

Diagnosis & Treatment:

• Blood or urine tests to rule out bacteria or parasites
• Cultures or allergen tests to determine the type of allergy
• Eye drops or ointments may be prescribed to decrease inflammation and heal the infection

Conjunctivitis: Yes, cats can get Pink Eye, too.

Conjunctivitis is a common reason for your cat’s eyes to be red and inflamed. Conjunctivitis, or Conjunctiva, is the inflammation of the thin mucous membrane on the outer surface of the eye. When it gets irritated by foreign bodies, infected, or injured, it can get red and uncomfortable. Some other causes can be Feline Herpesvirus or Calicivirus. Whether the Conjunctivitis is bacterial, viral, or fungi based, it can be cleared up quickly with a vet visit, diagnosis, and treatment.

Symptoms:

• Whites of eyes are red and possibly swollen
• Frequent blinking or rubbing the eyes 
• Sneezing or coughing
• Eye discharge that is different or discolored
• Third eyelid covering part of the eye 

Diagnosis & Treatment: 

• A culture or specimen to determine the origin of the infection
• Blood or urine samples to confirm infection
• Eye drops or topical ointments applied to the eyes to reduce inflammation and heal the eyes
• Oral antibiotics or anti-viral medications may be prescribed if an infection or fungus is present

Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1): It’s not just a cold.

Most cats have at one time or another been exposed to Feline Herpesvirus. Some cats will show symptoms for the virus. Other cats will be carriers and show no symptoms because the virus lies dormant in their systems.

The virus can activate at any time, especially when a cat is stressed. Unfortunately, there’s no cure, but FHV-1 can be managed to make the cat more comfortable and minimize flare-ups.

Symptoms:

• Upper respiratory symptoms – coughing, runny nose, or sneezing
• Conjunctivitis – swelling or inflammation of the outer lining of the eye
• Corneal ulcerations – these are serious eye issues that need immediate vet attention to maintain vision in your kitty

Diagnosis & Treatment:

• Blood and urine samples
• Fluorescein eye stain test to detect if an ulcer or injury is present
• Eye drops or a topical ointment to ease symptoms and heal infections
• Oral antibiotics or antiviral medications to treat an upper respiratory infection if present
• Lowering stress as stress can activate the virus 
• Lysine vitamin supplements may help reduce or eliminate virus flares

Blepharitis: There’s a reason for those puffy eyes.

Blepharitis is an inflammation and infection of the eyelids. It can also involve the muscles, connective tissues, and glands of the eye. It’s more common in flat-faced cats like Persians and Himalayans, but other breeds of cat can get it, too. It can be caused by allergic reactions (like to a flea bite) tumors, trauma to the eyelid, and other conditions like diabetes. Your cat’s own hair can also cause Blepharitis if it irritates their eyes!

Symptoms:

• Swelling of the eyelids
• Rubbing or scratching at the eyes
• Dry or crusty areas around the eyes and discharge
• Hair may come out leaving leathery or bare areas around the eyes

Diagnosis & Treatment:

• Examination of the eyelids and surrounding areas to determine the presence and extent of inflammation, plus the cause of the infection 
• Blood or urine tests and possibly cultures or biopsies to detect if an infection is present
• Clean around the eyes while they’re healing with cotton balls wet with warm water 
• Apply warm compresses to the area to help soothe the eyes
• Get an Elizabethan collar (Blepharitis can be very itchy) to protect the eyes during the healing process
• Topical ointments and eye drops may be prescribed to treat inflammation or infection
• Oral antibiotics if needed, but the underlying cause should be addressed for a longer-term solution

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca: This is also known as Dry Eyes or Keratitis.

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca…a really intimidating word that simply means dry eyes. It can be a secondary bacterial infection of FVH-1, but can also crop up with Conjunctivitis, allergies, or for genetic reasons. 

Tears have antibacterial properties in them and protect the eyes by flushing irritants and providing lubrication. Having a dry eye condition is very uncomfortable and can cause severe issues if not treated. Luckily, it’s relatively easy to provide comfort to your kitty if this is the problem, but dry eyes are usually not curable. You will need to manage the symptoms to keep your feline buddy comfortable.

Symptoms:

• Excessive blinking
• Swollen eyes
• Your cat may be reluctant to open their eyes
• Inflammation of the eyelids
• Light sensitivity
• A dull coating or dry look to the cornea or outside of the eye

Treatment:

• Eye examination to determine if dry eye may be the problem
• A Schirmer tear test to measure  the percentage of moisture in the eye
• A fluorescein stain test to check for any ulcers or erosion of the cornea
• Eye drops may be prescribed to stimulate the production of tears, or antibiotics if an infection is present

Are your cat’s eyes healthy?

As you can see, there are many reasons a cat can develop an eye infection. Some are not as serious as others, but all can be treated to keep your kitty comfortable. Bacteria, viruses, fungus, and allergies can all threaten your cat’s amazing vision talents. So if you look at your beloved kitty and notice their eyes are not as clear and beautiful as they usually are, maybe it’s time to see your vet. With the right treatment and insurance to help cover it, your cat will be back to their old tricks and talents in no time. 

Conjunctivitis – HSE.ie

Conjunctivitis (red or pink eye) is an eye condition caused by infection or allergies.

You usually do not need treatment if you’re an adult. But your child might need to see a GP or have urgent treatment. If your baby is less than 4 weeks old, contact your GP.

Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause conjunctivitis. This type takes longer to clear up.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis usually makes your eyes:

• bloodshot
• itchy, gritty or sore
• produce pus that sticks to lashes
• swollen
• water

You or your child might also have flu-like symptoms. For example, sore throat, runny nose, cough, fever, aches and pains.

Get help now for your child

Take your baby to your GP if you think they have conjunctivitis. Do this immediately if your baby is less than 24 hours old.

Check if it is contagious

Conjunctivitis can be contagious.

When it is caused by allergies like hay fever, conjunctivitis can make the eyes red and watery but it is not contagious. Other conditions can also cause red eyes.

Use the following images to check if your conjunctivitis is contagious so you can avoid spreading it.

Staying away from work or school

You do not need to avoid work or school unless you or your child are feeling very unwell.

Check with your childcare provider that they can look after your child if your child has conjunctivitis.

Treatment from a GP or pharmacist

Treatment for conjunctivitis depends on the cause.

Your GP might prescribe:

• antibiotic eye drops – if the cause is a bacterial infection
• antihistamine medicines – if the cause is an allergy

Your pharmacist can also give you advice. Check that you know the cause of the conjunctivitis. Antibiotics do not work on conjunctivitis caused by a virus or an allergy.

Your GP or pharmacist will tell you how to ease the symptoms at home if you have conjunctivitis caused by a virus.

Treating conjunctivitis at home

You can help ease symptoms by cleaning around your eye and removing crusts from the eyelashes.

Use the following steps to remove any discharge.

1. Boil some water and let it cool.
2. Wash your hands.
3. Wet a clean cotton ball or pad with the cooled water.
4. Gently wipe from the inner corner to the outer corner of the eye.
5. With a dry cotton ball or pad, wipe from the inside corner out.
6. Repeat for the other eye. Use a new cotton ball or pad.
7. Wash your hands.

You can also hold a cold flannel on your eyes to cool and soothe your symptoms.

Using breast milk to treat your child’s conjunctivitis

There is no evidence that putting breast milk in your baby’s eyes clears conjunctivitis. But it is unlikely to cause harm.

Never put formula milk into your baby’s eyes.

90,000 Took it in the head. How parasites control the behavior of their hosts

Parasites, like all other living organisms, first of all need energy. It comes in the form of food. And its source for the parasite, even if it is a plant, is by definition other organisms. A true (in the language of science – obligate) parasite cannot separate from its host without loss of viability, and if it does so, then usually in a particularly stable form for settling, having an extremely inhibited metabolism and not requiring food.

In short, the parasite’s only food source is its host. For this reason, killing him quickly is extremely undesirable: firstly, this automatically makes the supply of resources finite, and secondly, a dead and rotting host poisons the parasite itself. But it makes sense to do so that the owner builds up the mass, calls his acquaintances so that they too (without suspecting anything) become infected, and reproduce on the condition that the descendants of the parasite will settle in his children.

Of course, no one would like to voluntarily give some of their strength to some kind of parasite.Therefore, those who want to live completely at someone else’s expense (and obligate parasites have no other choice) must “tread carefully and speak in a whisper.” It is necessary to bite off the owner a little bit, and even pretend that he himself agreed to this. You can even give him something useful in return – in this case, the food source will last longer and will not decide to complain.

Slow and dissatisfied

One of the most famous, widespread and relatively harmless parasites closely related to humans is the unicellular Toxoplasma gondii .The infection it causes is called toxoplasmosis. T. gondii infects the mice that eat them, as well as the people with whom these cats live. People with a normally functioning immune system are not afraid of toxoplasma, but it is better for HIV-infected and pregnant women not to face it: for them the parasite can be very dangerous.

Photo: vvvita / Photodom / Shutterstock

Most often, Toxoplasma does not cause obvious poisoning of internal organs. However, this parasite changes the behavior of all its hosts so that they begin to feel a craving for representatives of the species that Toxoplasma is capable of infecting.Affected by Toxoplasma gondii mice are much less afraid of cats than their “clean” counterparts, and with difficulty dodge predators. If healthy rodents avoid the smell of cat urine, then those infected with Toxoplasma, on the contrary, are drawn to it. Thus, they become easy prey for predators and thus increase the likelihood of infection in cats.

This does not end the chain: cats with Toxoplasma treat people well, but people affected by the parasite have a special affection for cats, to the point that they begin to relate much better to the smell of cat urine and even sometimes “collect” cats, thereby contributing to cross parasite infestation. This is what Louis Wayne, a British artist, did. Love for cats was clearly reflected in his work: he painted almost exclusively his own pets. And towards the end of his life he developed schizophrenia. Given that Toxoplasma has the strongest effect on the nervous system, it is likely that it was she who ruined Wayne’s mental health.

Six images of cats, drawn by Louis Wayne. The figures show an increase in the degree of abstraction, which some psychiatrists associate with the progression of his schizophrenia.Image: Louis Wain / Wikimedia Commons

Fortunately, in most cases, exposure to Toxoplasma is limited to delayed reactions and persistent deterioration in mood. The biological meaning of the first is simple: a slow animal is easier to catch for a predator. The second is more difficult to explain. This is probably a “side effect” of Toxoplasma, manifested in humans simply because it is easiest for us to observe its manifestations.

However, no one died directly from irritability, but from insufficiently quick response – completely.Where does a modern person most often have to be attentive and quick? That’s right, on the road. You’ve probably read crime reports with phrases like “the driver lost control.” As a rule, this means that he did not react quickly enough to something. And there is a suspicion that Toxoplasma is the reason for the slowness of a number of road users.

In 2017, employees of the I.M. THEM. Sechenov and the Moscow City Research Institute of Ambulance named after N.V. Sklifosovsky was examined by 252 drivers, 100 of whom got into an accident through their own fault. Of this hundred, Toxoplasma was found in the blood of 45 people, that is, almost half of the examined people, and among those 152 who simply came for a routine medical examination, only a quarter. This suggests that the presence of Toxoplasma gondii in the body negatively affects the attention and reaction speed of a person. The authors of the work themselves associate its influence with the fact that Toxoplasma is able to change the intensity of dopamine release, a neurotransmitter that regulates both movement and positive emotions.

Puppeteer mushrooms

Other notable parasites are fungi. Their cells are very similar in structure to animal cells, so it can be difficult to get rid of them: you need to find a remedy that would act on the cells of the fungi, but would not touch the cells of the animal itself. Despite this similarity, mushrooms – and according to the modern classification, this is a large and modular group – have a number of biochemical “superpowers” that allow them to synthesize a wide range of substances affecting the nervous system.

For example, “fly mushroom”, Entomophthora muscae , strongly changes the behavior of its victims and almost immediately sprouts outgrowths into neurons, but until the death of flies does not significantly change the structure of their nervous system. This was found out last year by experts from the University of California at Berkeley. They infected laboratory fruit flies with entomophthora and killed groups of flies every few hours to see how their organs looked on sections and to find out how the activity of various enzymes and the intensity of biochemical reactions in their tissues changed.

A dead fly infected with an entomophthora fungus in a characteristic pose. Photo: Jaco Visser / Photohome / Shutterstock

It usually took four days from the infection of the Drosophila with the fungus to the death of the fly. Halfway through this period, the hyphae (filaments that make up the body of the fungus) entomophthora began to appear in the nervous system of insects, and the proteins they produced even earlier. Nevertheless, the differences in the work of genes in the neurons of infected and healthy flies were clearly manifested only at the very end, when the insect chose a blade of grass or a stick higher, climbed on it, bent its abdomen, spread its wings and died.

This position gives the entomophthora spores the best opportunities for propagation. The hyphae of the fungus grow through the abdominal segments of Drosophila and continue to stretch even after its death. An eerie sight. But it is even more terrible that researchers have not yet understood what exactly entomophthora affects in the nervous system. Perhaps its target is some group of neurons that control the fly’s movements.

In a similar way, the more famous parasitic fungi, cordyceps, also change the behavior of insects.There are many types of them, but one of the most studied is one-sided cordyceps Ophiocordyceps unilateralis . He chose to prey on the tropical carpenter ant Camponotus leonardi . Like entomophthora, cordyceps forces the insect to climb the highest available vegetation before dying and freeze there in a hunched over position that is conducive to scattering spores. To do this, the ant needs to leave its colony. In this, for the insects themselves, however, there is a plus: the spores of cordyceps do not scatter among the workers in the anthill itself, which means that the number of victims will not reach the maximum possible.

Dead wasp infected with cordyceps fungus. The parasite again forced the insect to climb a high branch and freeze in an unusual position. Photo: Erich G. Vallery / USDA Forest Service / Bugwood.org

Fortunately, most people are not afraid of mushrooms. We’re too hot for their spores to sprout. However, as with Toxoplasma, a weakened immune system increases the likelihood that the parasitic fungus will eventually take root in a person. It’s good that Entomophthora and Cordyceps prefer insects!

Viral multimovers

Sometimes you get the feeling that the worse the developed nervous system of the parasite, the more ruthless it is.In the summer of 2018, mycologists presented new data on the “fly mushroom”, and now it’s time to regret it. In some Entomophthora muscae , viruses were found, which they named – entomophytoviruses ( Entomophthovirus ). Apparently, it is they who force the fungus to attack insects and make it possible to control their behavior, and healthy entomophthora do not go for this. Interestingly, sometimes only entomophytoviruses are found in flies, without the corresponding fungi. So, apparently, viruses used to prefer to infect insects themselves, and then, for some reason, it turned out to be more convenient for them to use intermediaries.

This assumption is also confirmed by the fact that many relatives of the entomophytovirus, iflaviruses, specialize in insects. The infection patterns are very complex. For example, the wasp Dinocampus coccinellae has its own “house virus”, which is found in the eggs of these insects. They lay eggs in ladybirds of the species Coleomegilla maculata . The larvae of the wasp, hatching, feed on the body tissues of the cow, but she does not resist and does not try to get rid of them.The cow stays with her parasites even when they have eaten most of her organs and pupated. The ladybird also cannot escape: iflavirus forms a paralytic poison in the insect’s body. And the bright color of Coleomegilla maculata discourages others from pecking it and the cocoon “guarded” by it. Surprisingly, after the larvae of the ichneumon were ripe, almost a quarter of the cows remain alive and recover from shock.

Frozen ladybug with a parasitic cocoon. Photo: Gilles San Martin / Creative Commons

Viruses also affect the human nervous system, although, fortunately, not through fungi or insects.The most famous and most dangerous of these parasites is rabies. It differs from many other viruses in that it freely passes through the barriers separating the spinal cord and brain from the rest of the body, and moves from the peripheral processes of nerve cells closer and closer to the central nervous system. Therefore, the bites of rabid animals on the face are the most dangerous: from there it is closest to the brain. But aggression, the desire to bite is a manifestation of manipulation by the parasite. The more often and further the victim spreads its biological fluids (mainly saliva), the more opportunities for the virus to settle.

Opposition

Evolution is blind and in many respects accidental, therefore, even the most stupid owners, it can inadvertently give protection from parasites. Sometimes, thanks to them, you can even grow wiser. Although, of course, it would be better to do this without a push from such assistants.

For example, an increase in intelligence is observed in trout Salmo trutta trutta . Their eyes are capable of infecting the flatworm Diplostomum pseudospathaceum . Pisces can be shown that certain objects are associated with these worms, and so they can be made to avoid.This was shown by scientists from the University of Jyväskylä (Finland). They periodically placed the fish for an hour in a halved aquarium for two weeks. Half of it was red and the other half yellow. One of the compartments contained larvae of Diplostomum pseudospathaceum , while the other did not.

Trout Salmo trutta trutta. Photo: Kletr / Photodom / Shutterstock

With each new planting in the aquarium, trout spent less and less time in the compartment with parasite larvae, that is, they somehow connected the color of the walls with the presence of dangerous neighbors.But what is even more interesting, the number of larvae that nevertheless penetrated the body of the fish depended on its temperament. Fewer parasites were found in the brave and inclined towards exploratory behavior than in the “humble” fish.

Locker with curiosities

There is one big paradox in research on “brain parasitism”. Biology knows a lot of cases when the parasite changes the behavior of the host , and even more – when the parasite changes the biochemistry of the nervous system of the host .These two sets intersect very weakly. There are two reasons for this. First, molecular biology is now so accessible that they try to describe and explain any observed biological phenomenon in terms of enzymes, the work of genes, and the like. At the same time, there are so many enzymes, genes and networks of biochemical reactions and they are so dependent on the context (the simplest example: the same neurotransmitter can be both excitatory and inhibitory depending on the receptor that perceives it), that behind the intricacies of the details of molecular interactions the general picture of what is happening is lost.

The second reason: not all molecular biologists are familiar with the behavioral features of the organisms they study, and zoologists and ethologists, alas, do not always have giant maps of metabolic pathways in their heads. Specialization and disunity have gone too far – just like some parasites. All this puts scientists in a precarious position, and their studies of the influence of parasites on the behavior of their hosts look like a scattered set of facts, a kind of cabinet of curiosities – a “cabinet with curiosities.” Therefore, if after reading the article you have the feeling that there is a lot of information, but there are few conclusions, then, who knows, maybe these parasites affect the human brain so that it does not understand something important about them, and force you to concentrate on small details instead of really key things.

Svetlana Yastrebova

What is tetanus – causes, prevention, treatment

Tetanus is a dangerous disease with a high mortality rate. It develops as a result of contact infection with a opportunistic pathogen that lives in the gastrointestinal tract – tetanus bacillus. When penetrating through an open wound, it releases a poison comparable in its deadly effect to botulinum toxin.

In developed countries, doctors recommend getting regular tetanus shots for both children and adults.This measure helps to prevent the development of an acute infectious disease, as well as to stop its spread among the population. You can get a tetanus shot for prophylaxis at the MedEx Personal Medicine Clinic.

Features of the disease

Tetanus is a disease characterized by a long incubation period. It can take up to 2 weeks from the moment of infection to the development of the first alarming symptoms. Often the patient forgets that he accidentally injured himself and did not treat the wound, and does not even try to associate this event with a deterioration in well-being.All this significantly complicates the diagnosis: while the doctor is looking for the true causes of the ailment, the disease progresses.

Another feature that characterizes tetanus is the relationship between the incubation period and the severity of the disease. The doctor needs to determine the moment of infection as accurately as possible in order to determine the appropriate treatment.

The third feature of tetanus is the high likelihood of complications. Often, after an infectious disease, a patient experiences joint dislocations, bone fractures and muscle damage associated with severe muscle cramps.Complications of tetanus – severe weakness, spasms of the respiratory system, cranial nerve palsy – can manifest themselves over several years.

After suffering tetanus, a person does not develop immunity. He can become infected again, and the risk of a severe course of the disease will be just as high. The only way to prevent illness is through prevention.

How infection occurs

The causative agent of tetanus is a conditionally pathogenic microorganism.This means that it can be in the human body without harming it. Tetanus bacillus is part of the intestinal microflora and in this case is not dangerous. Also, its spores are present in dust, polluted water, soil and animal droppings. They can get inside the digestive tract due to lack of hygiene, but they will not lead to the development of infection.

Infection with tetanus occurs through open lesions on the skin or mucous membranes. Most often – after severe burns, frostbite, stab and other wounds.In this case, the most dangerous damage to the skin and mucous membranes, creating favorable conditions for the activity and reproduction of anaerobic microorganisms:

• Penetrating wounds from sharp stabbing objects;
• gunshot wounds;
• animal bites;
• injections;
• injuries of bones, accompanied by their crushing;
• long-term non-healing wounds, especially on the feet.

Such lesions are the only route of exposure to tetanus.The disease is not spread by contact with an infected person.

After the tetanus bacillus has entered an open wound, it begins to multiply actively. For a long time, bacteria do not manifest themselves in any way, they only increase their own number and secrete endotoxin. This poison gradually penetrates the nerve fibers to the spinal cord, and sometimes to the brain. Under the influence of endotoxin, symptoms of damage to the nervous system begin to appear.

Tetanus symptoms

There are several forms of tetanus.They differ in symptoms and severity of the course. According to statistics, in most cases, tetanus can be determined by the main signs, distinguishable at the end of the incubation period.

Symptoms of tetanus can be confused with symptoms of a whole range of neurological pathologies. The disease can be distinguished by the absence of concomitant meningeal signs characteristic of such conditions.

Main symptoms

At an early stage, tetanus is manifested by the following symptoms:

• “Sardonic smile”.This is the main and first sign of tetanus. Due to the fact that the facial muscles are very tense, a grimace appears – the eyes are narrowed, the lips are stretched with lowered corners, the forehead is wrinkled.
• Dysphagia. The muscles of the pharynx are contracted convulsively – swallowing becomes difficult or painful.
• Trismus. It becomes difficult for an infected person to open his mouth completely – due to the fact that the chewing muscles are tense.

This triad of symptoms is characteristic of early stage tetanus.It is used to diagnose a dangerous disease, but it is also useful for non-specialists: the earlier the diagnosis is made, the higher the effectiveness of the treatment.

Additional symptoms

As tetanus progresses, additional symptoms are added to the first 3 symptoms:

• Abdominal muscle tension;
• traction of the lower limbs;
• Constant tension of the muscles of the arms and legs, even in sleep;
• painful sensations in the wound through which the infection occurred;
• the appearance of a clear pattern of skeletal muscles;
• respiratory failure – it becomes more frequent, becomes more superficial;
• opistonus – a condition in which the body bends in an arc, resting on the back of the head and buttocks;
• Violation of defecation and urination caused by muscle tension.

Tetanus is manifested by seizures lasting several minutes. They occur regularly, 2-3 or more times a day, under the influence of visual, acoustic and other stimuli. During a seizure, the entire body of a person is tense, except for the muscles of the eyes. They can be accompanied by severe pain, tachycardia, shortness of breath, excessive sweating.

The rate of occurrence of additional symptoms is an important indicator. If they are observed less than 2 days after the development of a “sardonic smile”, the prognosis is poor.

The most severe period of tetanus begins from the 2nd week. At this time, the risk of cardiac muscle paralysis and asphyxiation, leading to death, is maximum. If the period passes relatively calmly, gradually the symptoms of tetanus begin to fade, although some of them may be observed for another 2 months.

Symptoms in newborns

Neonatal tetanus is one of the most dangerous and severe forms of the disease. It is typical for children born out of hospital, in violation of the rules of sanitation.The causative agent of tetanus enters the child’s body through the umbilical wound.

Symptoms of the disease begin to appear after 2-3 weeks. The child behaves restlessly, constantly crying. Then trismus becomes distinguishable: it is difficult for a newborn to open his mouth due to the fact that the facial muscles are in constant tension. Later, he can no longer eat.

As the disease progresses, other signs of tetanus develop:

• “sardonic smile”;
• spasms and convulsions;
• back arching;
• increase in body temperature.

Tetanus is more severe in newborns than in adults or older children. The likelihood of recovery is largely determined by the speed of medical care.

Atypical forms

Generalized tetanus is not the only one. There are also more rare:

• local;
• upward;
• bulbar.

Local tetanus is manifested only by muscle tension and spasms in the zone of penetration of the pathogen.The disease is mild and does not cause serious complications. The forecast is favorable.

Tetanus ascending is initially manifested by muscle twitching in the area of ​​infection. Gradually, the symptoms spread further, affecting the whole body.

Bulbar tetanus is also called Brunner’s head tetanus. This form is extremely difficult, accompanied by damage to the upper spinal cord and medulla oblongata. The action of the toxin affects the area of ​​the facial muscles, as well as the muscles of the neck and chest, and is often fatal.

Diagnostics

Tetanus is diagnosed by a triad of typical symptoms. The general practitioner collects an anamnesis to find out the date of infection and the characteristics of the course of the disease. To do this, he asks the patient about his injuries, burns and frostbite, as well as whether he has been vaccinated against tetanus.

After the diagnosis has been established, treatment is started immediately. Laboratory tests are rarely carried out – the result is too long to wait. Differential diagnosis is carried out for meningitis, encephalitis, poisoning and the consequences of TBI.

Treatment

A patient with suspected tetanus is immediately admitted to the intensive care unit. He is arranged in a separate ward, as isolated as possible from external stimuli. There should be nothing that can provoke convulsions – no loud sounds, no images, no sensations.

For the treatment of tetanus, anti-tetanus serum is used, which neutralizes the toxin. In addition, the patient is prescribed drugs that reduce skeletal muscle tone to stop the seizures.

The average duration of tetanus treatment is 2 weeks. Patients with a severe form of the disease are treated for at least a month. After suffering tetanus, it is necessary to be regularly monitored by a neurologist and cardiologist for 2 years.

Prevention

Prevention of tetanus is carried out in 2 directions:

• vaccination;
• injury prevention.

Tetanus vaccination is an important method of prevention of the disease, allowing the formation of immunity against it.For this purpose, tetanus toxoid is used, which is part of the DPT vaccine. It also protects against whooping cough and diphtheria.

Tetanus vaccination schedules for children and adults are different. For children, the DPT vaccine is administered at:

• 3 months;
• 4.5 months;
• 6 months;
• 1.5 years;
• 6-7 years old.

At the end of the course, the child develops immunity, which lasts for 10 years. After you need to carry out revaccination.Teenagers are vaccinated against tetanus at the age of 14-16, and then according to the schedule established by the order of the Ministry of Health.

Revaccination of adults is carried out every decade. It is mandatory for military personnel, builders, railway workers, excavators, students. The tetanus vaccine must be given to people living in an area with an unfavorable epidemiological situation for this disease.

Non-specific prophylaxis of tetanus consists in the prevention of domestic and industrial injuries.It also includes the sterilization of surgical instruments, which is necessary to exclude contamination. Any burns, frostbite, stab wounds and gunshot wounds must be properly handled, disinfected and stopped bleeding immediately.

Get vaccinated against tetanus in Moscow

According to statistics, the vast majority of tetanus cases registered in Russia are associated with neglect of preventive measures. It is diagnosed mainly in people over 65 who have not been vaccinated against this disease.

Tetanus deaths account for about 40% of all reported cases.

MedEx Personal Medicine Clinic invites you to get vaccinated against tetanus and protect yourself and your loved ones from possible infection. For detailed information about the vaccine and making an appointment, contact the administrator.

90,000 Trend for new phobias: what fears will haunt us after COVID-19

We are experiencing a tremendous amount of fear today.Perhaps more than at any other time in the past few decades. Scientists and doctors are sure: the COVID-19 pandemic is to blame

The threat of infection with a deadly virus really scared humanity. So much so that not only all the previous fears intensified, but new ones began to grow exponentially.

Daniil Aleksandrov – Candidate of Sciences in Biology, Sociologist, Head of the Scientific and Educational Laboratory “Sociology of Education and Science”, National Research University Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg:

“Any great fear increases and emphasizes the importance of other fears.How it works? We are aware of the obvious and high risk that anyone can contract the virus. And then we begin to fantasize: what will be the reaction of the state? Will the measures taken be sufficient? Will our health care be able to cope with this? Will they cure us? One imaginary risk is multiplied by the second, the third, and, of course, the general level of fear is rapidly creeping up and going off scale. This is because we have been living in a fairly safe world for a long time. With all the threats that exist today, each individual person and humanity as a whole is more secure than 50, 70 and even more than 100 years ago.And we are used to it. Therefore, any threat, especially such a large-scale one as a coronavirus pandemic, really scares us. Remember, many of us are afraid of flying more than traveling in cars. Although the chance of dying in an accident is statistically much higher than the chance of dying in a plane crash, it is a known fact. But we are used to using cars, so we are not afraid to get behind the wheel. We encounter pandemics even less often than flying on airplanes, and we are not used to them. Therefore, such an event provokes a large-scale outbreak of human fears. “

Why does a person feel fear?

Fear is the oldest emotion. It is born in the limbic system of the brain when a person perceives a situation as threatening their own safety or the safety of others. Fear is a defense mechanism of the psyche. Largely thanks to this emotion, man has successfully evolved for tens of thousands of years: in critical situations, fear mobilizes the body, increasing its activity. This is due to the release of the hormones adrenaline and norepinephrine into the bloodstream, which physiologically adapt the human body to respond to stress.

Despite the fact that fear is still extremely useful for human survival, there is a downside to this emotion. If you experience it too often and quite intensely, chronic mental disorders develop. It can be post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and various types of phobias. Including their rather specific varieties.

Alexandrina Grigorieva – candidate of psychological sciences, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, director of the Neurocenter clinic in Moscow:

“Fear and phobia are not the same thing.Although these are very close things. Fear is an internal state that is shaped by a real or perceived threat. There is some specifics in this. That is, I am now afraid of something concrete. Phobia is an irrational, uncontrollable fear. And this is already a mental disorder. Moreover, phobia is a fairly stable formation, it systematically arises in a person in response to some stimuli. However, the person himself often cannot explain the origin of his phobia. ”

And if PTSD always occurs as a result of some kind of traumatic event, then the mechanism for the development of phobias can have a variety of scenarios.Simply put, even if you yourself have not contracted a coronavirus infection; have not lost someone close to you as a result of this disease; have not lost their job or income; in your life in general, everything is fine – a phobia can still develop. Simply because in an epidemic and growing infodemic, you continue to experience high levels of anxiety.

Photo: ANURAKE SINGTO-ON / Shutterstock

Today, scientists identify at least five of the most common fears in Russian society:

Our experts have estimated how likely it is that they will become new phobias in the near future.

Fear of epidemics. Probability of becoming a phobia: very high

Daniil Alexandrov:

“People in Russia experience a rather pronounced fear of viruses, diseases, and epidemics. And there is a good reason for this fear. We all do not trust the Russian healthcare system as a whole. And we all don’t really want to end up in hospitals. Especially now, when it is not clear which drugs for COVID-19 help and which do not. In addition, there is always an additional danger of catching a nosocomial infection – for example, nosocomial pneumonia.When there is such a high level of mistrust in medicine in a society, it does not matter who is afraid of what exactly – a general feeling of fear is formed. Although, it seems to me that we are still experiencing a strong fear of the COVID-19 epidemic, and not some future diseases. And I think this will continue until this fear is replaced by a new one. Which is also inevitable, because it is simply impossible to be afraid of the same thing for a long time. ”

Alexandrina Grigorieva:

“I think this fear is seriously claiming to be a new phobia.Because it is based on the strongest fear for one’s own health, fear of illness, fear of death – and this is generally one of the strongest human fears. It is he who underlies many hypochondriacal experiences. And, of course, in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, this fear has multiplied. People are afraid of infection like fire. It should also be noted that this fear is associated with one very interesting phenomenon – a change in tolerance towards sick people. That is, people who show some signs of illness cause fear and very strong alienation.Many have an irresistible desire to stay away from them. And the personality of a person is no longer significant, with all his experiences – only his own safety is important, because the instinct of self-preservation is at work. With all this, I cannot say that this fear of epidemics paralyzed everyone en masse. First of all, of course, he influenced people with an alarming personality radical. ”

Fear of social isolation. Probability of becoming a phobia: very low

Daniil Alexandrov:

“I don’t think this fear is strong enough to stay with us for long.If only because we have already experienced it. We have already lost our freedom of movement. At the same time, we are all clearly aware that it will be returned to us anytime soon. First, within the country, and then, after some time, international borders will open, and freedom of global movement will return to us. Therefore, this fear does not seem significant to me. After all, when you find yourself in a situation of emergency landing of an airplane, you are very scared only while it sits down. After landing, you are left with only a post-traumatic sensation, a memory of fear.So it is in this case. Yes, fear of new, re-isolation can circulate in our society. Or that it will now be easier to enter in case someone wants to. But this is a low level fear. And in the future it will rather become just a kind of fear, because fear is still a rather acute sensation. ”

Photo: Ben Birchall / Getty Images

Alexandrina Grigorieva:

“It should be noted that the fear of social isolation is actively heated and discussed in society today.And in many ways, I think, this is due to our historical heritage, memories of the Iron Curtain and all those restrictions. Therefore, the prospect of new isolation is alarming – what if we lose all this again? But if this anxiety acquires such a strong, conceptual scope, if a person begins to look for some justification and reinforcement of hypothetical restrictions on freedom and begins to be afraid of this, then in such a situation I see already paranoid subtext, the beginning of delusional conceptualization.Therefore, I would call this fear to some extent artificially created. It seems to me that most people who live with anxiety about possible social isolation do manage it successfully. And if someone develops a phobia against this background, then only if paranoiac thoughts go wild ”.

Fear of complete virtualization of social life. Probability of becoming a phobia: low

Daniil Alexandrov:

“It seems to me that this fear is relevant only in the context of new digital technologies and possible digital control by the authorities.For example, the story about the introduction of the application of social isolation in Moscow – it really caused a real fear in many. People began to fear that their personal data would be entered into some kind of application, which literally everyone would have access to. It seems to me that now many will have a fear of installing any applications on their gadgets that require downloading personal data. Even if these are banking applications. And this is similar to the fear of an epidemic. You do not see the virus, and therefore we are afraid of it.And the same with digital technologies – we also do not see them and do not understand exactly how they work, which is why we are afraid of them. ”

“As for the virtualization of other areas of life, for example, education, I think this fear is unfounded. Of course, neither in the fall of 2020, nor a year later, students did not fully return to their usual lectures in classrooms. But later it will definitely happen. And in this story, again, there is no fear as such. Rather, the fear: “how long will this last?” I do not expect a complete virtualization of social life.And I do not expect the complete withdrawal of education online. But the level of digital control can really grow. Because this is already a stable trend all over the world: in America, China, Europe. Of course, this issue is solved in different ways everywhere, for example, in China they are trying to introduce a unified state social rating. And in the same America, this is solved privately: a social rating is given to you by credit organizations that collect information about you even through accounts on social networks. By the way, in the USA there is already an application for bartenders and bar owners, which spreads your social rating within this community.A kind of bar customer story. That is, if you made a brawl in some institution, you may be denied a drink in any other place without explaining the reason. ”

Alexandrina Grigorieva:

“I have ambiguous observations here. For some, on the contrary, fear turned into the realization that they would have to leave their virtual life again on the streets. This happened with people who already had some kind of social fears, difficulties in interacting with society. And for them, of course, this whole story of self-isolation became a wonderful experience, how you can live comfortably at a distance, without contacting anyone directly – only through the monitor screen.On the other hand, there is also a group of people who are used to being socially active and of course they suffered. They had a decline in vital energy, apathy was expressed. But most of us, it seems to me, have nevertheless successfully adapted to the fact that many areas of life were forced to go online. For example, telemedicine was received very positively by many. And even now, when there is an opportunity to meet in person, many patients still prefer online appointments. And not because they are afraid of infection, but simply because it is so convenient.This saves a lot of time and energy. As for the fears of virtualization of education, it seems to me that the system itself was not quite ready for online life. Hence, some parents and students developed a negative experience and, as a result, a fear that this innovation could gain a foothold. But I don’t think that this particular fear has a great future. ”

Fear of having children. Likelihood of becoming a phobia: high

Daniil Alexandrov:

“It’s kind of a long-held fear.In our society as a whole, fear for children has grown. For example, 40 years ago they were not so worried about them, they were not afraid to let go alone. Today, fear for a child has become a social norm. That is, if you do not follow enough or care about children, then you run the risk of being condemned in the eyes of society. This phenomenon also has the opposite consequences. Many potential parents have a thought: do I want to have a child at all, if I will be afraid for him every day? Not only are we afraid of epidemics, we are afraid of disasters, wars, but we are just afraid for our children.And I don’t know how to play it back. And to do this, of course, would be necessary. Because all these fears are not only about a real threat to the children themselves. This is also about the threat to all expectant mothers and fathers who deny themselves parenting because they do not want to constantly worry about their child. They do not want such stress for themselves. ”

Photo: Pexels

Alexandrina Grigorieva:

“The fear of having children is very strong today.Moreover, in my professional life, I often meet pregnant women who develop mental disorders, the trigger of which is a very strong fear for themselves and for their unborn child. Life in an epidemic has literally become unbearable for many future parents. That is, the strength of this fear turned out to be very great. Today, not everyone can take responsibility and decide to add to the family. Therefore, I am sure that such fear has every chance of becoming a new phobia.And now pay attention to how strong the fear for the life of the child is. As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic began, parents immediately tried to get their children out of the cities. Moreover, the initial context was such that children are not a risk group for coronavirus infection. But that didn’t stop most of the parents. ”

Fear of interference with the human genome. Probability of becoming a phobia: average

Daniil Alexandrov:

“To be honest, I do not yet understand how genetic experiments can become a real danger for you and me.Genome editing is a very, very difficult job. If we want to somehow manage people in this way, we can find many other methods that will be both cheaper and easier than all this so far not too reliable and complex genetic engineering. If we separately consider the fear of scientific experiments on people, then I will tell you that before, much more was experimented on people. For example, they were infected with syphilis to understand how syphilis can be treated. But that was in the past. Today, no one will allow experiments on humans, this is prohibited at the legislative level.So the very fear of interference with the genome can and does exist, I admit it. But I think that it is groundless and is unlikely to have a serious distribution in society. ”

Photo: Alexandra Lee / Unsplash

Alexandrina Grigorieva:

“I would attribute several phenomena to this fear at once.The first is the fear of coronavirus vaccinations. Because for a long time no one understood what kind of vaccine would be injected and what the consequences would be. And now we see how the wave of so-called “anti-vaccination” has risen. Another phenomenon that we have seen in the UK, the US, and in our country is attacks on 5G phone towers. And all thanks to conspiracy theories that they allegedly spread the coronavirus. This also includes the fear of mass chipping. People are really afraid that not today – tomorrow there will be some kind of interference in their body with the most unpredictable consequences.This fear exists, it is quite real and quite strong. However, to a greater extent it is inherent in people with a very pronounced alarming radical and with a paranoid personality. For such a category of citizens, this fear may well become a new phobia. ”

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90,000 Sakhalin doctor commented on the appeal of Russian doctors to anti-vaccinations – Sakhalin Region News

Doctors from 11 Russian hospitals wrote an open letter addressed to opponents of vaccination, including well-known politicians, artists and social activists.In their message, they invite these people to personally visit the red zones and see patients with covid with their own eyes. Tatiana Kolba, chairman of the Sakhalin Oblast Medical Chamber, called this letter “a kind of cry for help” from doctors.

– The coronavirus pandemic is an ordeal for all of us. It has already been said more than once that the main burden at this difficult time fell on the shoulders of doctors. In the red zones, doctors do not easily work overtime – they work hard. Unfortunately, not all people have yet realized the scale of what is happening.Among those who still consider covid a fiction and a “horror story”, and vaccination is an excessive measure, there are also public people who shape public opinion. Therefore, an open letter from Russian doctors to the media anti-vaccine users and inviting them to “excursions” to the red zones is both a kind of cry of doctors for help and an attempt to show opponents of vaccination how things really are. It should be understood that doctors today are doing everything possible, and sometimes even impossible, when treating patients with covid, but they are not magicians.And all that each of us can do today in this situation is to be grafted. This will help protect those who are at high risk from dangerous infection, and, as a result, reduce the burden on doctors in covid hospitals, ” said Tatiana Kolba.

A letter from Russian doctors in which they offer opponents of vaccination to personally visit the red zones of hospitals and see with their own eyes patients with covid, as well as the consequences of this disease, was published by TASS. The appeal is addressed to the leaders of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and “Fair Russia” Gennady Zyuganov and Sergei Mironov, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Pyotr Tolstoy, actress Maria Shukshina, singer Natalia Vetlitskaya, musicians Konstantin Kinchev and Yuri Loza, as well as other famous people who publicly oppose vaccination.

– We live in an age when the opinion of professionals in any industry can easily be dispelled by some famous person. Whether he himself is deceived or just hype is irrelevant. The consequences are scary! – said one of the authors of the open letter, the head physician of the hospital in Kommunarka Denis Protsenko.

This letter was signed by the chief physicians of Moscow hospitals Maryana Lysenko, Valery Vechorko and Andrey Shkoda, the chief physician of the S.P. Botkin in St. Petersburg Denis Gusev, as well as doctors from Samara, Krasnodar, Sochi and Khanty-Mansiysk.

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