Viral conjunctivitis - a description of the disease

Diagnosis of conjunctivitis is caused by inflammation of the conjunctiva. This is the outer transparent shell, the inner covering of a part of the eyelids and sclera.

Viral conjunctivitis often occurs during a common cold, sore throat, or during infections of the upper respiratory tract.

This kind of disease occurs quite often. Often, the viral conjunctivitis acquires the character of an epidemic. This is because this disease is very contagious. Often, viral conjunctivitis accompanies many infectious diseases.

The main causative agents of the disease

There are more than 150 pathogenic viruses for humans, which in one form or another can affect the organ of vision and cause viral conjunctivitis. For example, eye diseases such as pharyngoconjunctival fever or epidemic conjunctivitis were described back in 1889. But, despite this, adenoviral nature was established only in the early 60-ies of the twentieth century. And some eye diseases have been identified quite recently. Here, for example, in Africa in 1969-1979. There was a pandemic of epidemic hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. The causative agent in this case was enterovirus-70, which is in the group of picornaviruses.

In the pathology of the eyes, a significant role is played by herpesviruses, which act on the tissues endogenously, and are therefore almost safe with regard to epidemiology. Adenoviruses have been actively studied since 1952.

To date, more than 45 types of pathogens of this group have been identified, 28 of which are isolated in humans. Pharyngoconjunctival fever is caused by serotypes A-3 and A-7, and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis - serotype A-8.

All adenoviruses have a common antigen, multiply in the nucleus of epithelial cells and have a size of 60-85 nm. The adenovirus core consists of double-stranded DNA. They perfectly survive in medicinal solutions, including in eye drops. Deactivate them can be 0.5 and 1% solution of chloramine and 5% solution of phenol.

Viral conjunctivitis - symptoms of disease

The main signs of this disease are:

- redness of the eye;

Strong lachrymation;

- Irritation of the eyes;

- defeat goes from one eye to another.

Conjunctivitis herpeticum

One of the most common forms of the disease is herpetic conjunctivitis. This inflammation of the eyes causes the herpes simplex virus. Most often there is such a viral conjunctivitis in children. The virus affects one eye. At the same time the disease is very sluggish and protracted. Often during an illness on the skin of the eyelids, there are rashes in the form of herpetic vesicles.

There are forms of catarrhal and follicular herpetic conjunctivitis. These forms are usually very easy. During the illness, mucous fluid is released from the eyes in small amounts. Sometimes, if the bacterial flora is attached, the discharge becomes purulent. And the conjunctiva of the eye is almost not red. During the follicular form on the conjunctiva, vesicles are formed.

Also there is a vesicular-ulcerative form, which is considered to be the most severe. During the course of this disease, ulcers are formed on the conjunctiva, covered with a thin film. There is also strong tear and burning eyes in bright light.

Prevention

In case of viral conjunctivitis, the following rules should be adhered to:

- do not touch and wipe the infected eye;

- wash your hands often with warm soapy water;

- wash out any particle that has fallen into the eye. Do this with a moistened new cotton swab or paper towel;

- Do not apply cosmetics to the eyes;

- Do not use eye drops at the same time for an infected and healthy eye;

- Do not wear other contact lenses (and it is undesirable not to use it during the period of the disease);

- do not use other people's towels;

- Wash your laundry in hot water with a detergent;

- Wash hands thoroughly after eye dropping.