Redness of the eyelids, tears, burning, and photophobia may be conjunctivitis. Viruses are the most common cause of the disease, while bacteria and fungi are less likely to cause it. How can you tell if you have viral, bacterial or fungal conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitiscan have various causes - from trivial irritation to serious infection, and thus be mild or very acute. Find out howviral conjunctivitisdiffers from bacterial or fungal inflammation.
Viral conjunctivitis
Viral inflammation most often appears in one eye and spreads to the other after a few days. The virus first attacks the conjunctiva and usually affects the cornea of the eye after about 8 days.
- SYMPTOMS: Swelling and itching of the conjunctiva, foreign body sensation in the eye and the appearance of a watery discharge. Characteristic clusters of swollen blood vessels can be seen on the conjunctiva. When the inflammation spreads over the cornea, small circular opacities appear on the cornea. It is accompanied by severe pain and photophobia. Sometimes the lymph nodes around the mandible get enlarged.
- THIS WILL HELP YOU: Topically applied antiviral drugs (e.g. Zovirax, Cusiviral), as well as reducing swelling (e.g. Betadrin), anti-inflammatory and disinfecting drugs (Floxal, Sulfacetamidum) . To prevent additional bacterial infection, antibiotics are sometimes given. Viral conjunctivitis is very contagious. It is easily transferred by touch, so wash your hands frequently and dry them on your towel. If you used eye cosmetics during the infection, you should throw them away after the infection has subsided so that you do not get infected again.
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Bacterial attack is the most common cause of infection. Usually, the disease affects both eyes simultaneously.
- SYMPTOMS: Purulent or serous-purulent discharge in the conjunctival and tear sac, conjunctival hyperemia and swelling, sometimes of the entire eyelids. Blood spots or gray-yellow spots may appear on the conjunctiva.
- THIS WILL HELP YOU: Sulfonamides (Sulfacetamidum) or antibiotic solutions in the form of drops and ointments (Tobrex, Biodacin, Neomycinum, Chloramphenicol, Gentamicin) are given. If after 7 days the conditiondoes not improve, the ophthalmologist may recommend discontinuation of medication for 3-4 days, and then culture of the conjunctival sacs with the determination of the antibiogram. After determining which type of bacteria is causing the infection, he or she will recommend an appropriate treatment (so-called targeted).
Fungal conjunctivitis
Occurs rarely, usually occurs as a complication of long-term antibiotic treatment or as a result of transmission of infection from other parts of the body (e.g. genitals).
- SYMPTOMS: Itching, conjunctival redness, tearing. The discharge may be watery or mucopurulent. Whitish deposits often appear in the tear ducts.
- THIS WILL HELP YOU: You are given antifungal drugs (Clotrimazole, Nystatin) in the form of drops or ointments. Treatment can take up to several months.