What Is Viral Conjunctivitis?

Viral conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is a highly contagious type of eye infection caused by a virus, such as adenovirus or herpes simplex virus (HSV). It occurs when a viral infection causes conjunctivitis, the membrane that covers the white part of the eye. Most of the viruses that cause conjunctivitis are spread through hand-to-eye contact through hands or objects contaminated with the virus.

This type of conjunctivitis is responsible for the majority of cases of infectious conjunctivitis, accounting for up to 75% of cases. Viral conjunctivitis can be accompanied by influenza or other conditions. Symptoms include watery discharge, photosensitivity, and general eye irritation. To distinguish between the different types of conjunctivitis, your healthcare provider will need to perform laboratory tests to provide a definitive diagnosis.

Symptoms

Viral conjunctivitis generally starts in one eye and then spreads to the other. Common symptoms include: 3

• Eye irritation in pink or red
• Watery discharge from the eyes, which can include a small amount of mucus
• Dull pain, sadness, eye discomfort, burning sensation
• Mild sensitivity to light
• Crusts appear around the eyelids when you wake up
• Swollen eyelids
• Typical symptoms of any viral infection such as sore throat or runny nose

When to see a healthcare provider

In milder cases, viral conjunctivitis does not cause serious long-term health complications. Some conditions caused by viruses such as the herpes simplex virus or the varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, can lead to persistent eye problems if not treated properly. In addition, viral conjunctivitis in newborns or people with weakened immune systems, such as those with cancer or HIV infection, can be exposed to more severe infections. You should contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms: 3

• Severe redness, especially if it occurs in only one eye
• Severe eye pain
• Inability to open one eye
• Extreme sensitivity to light
• Vision disorders and inability to see clearly

If mild symptoms fail to improve over the course of a week or two, seek medical attention.

Causes

Viral conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by adenoviruses, which cause colds and other upper respiratory tract infections. Conjunctivitis caused by adenoviruses comes in two forms:

Pharyngeal and conjunctival fever:

It is usually found in children and young adults and is characterized by common cold symptoms such as sore throat or headache

Epidemic keratitis and conjunctivitis:

It can be severe and affect the cornea. It can come in the form of watery discharge, bloody congestion, chemical poisoning, and similar lymphadenopathy. This can lead to long-term vision problems

In addition to adenoviruses, viral conjunctivitis may also be caused by:

• Rubella virus
• Rubiola virus that causes measles
• Herpes simplex virus
• Varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox and herpes zoster
• Epstein-Barr virus, which also causes infectious mononucleosis (mononucleosis)
• Picorna viruses

Highly contagious viral conjunctivitis. You can get it through direct exposure to someone with an upper respiratory tract infection. Contact with gastric tears, eye discharge, feces, or respiratory secretions can contaminate your hands.2 You can then get viral conjunctivitis if you rub your eyes with your hands. Viral conjunctivitis can also be spread by large respiratory droplets. You can also get it after a cold.

diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will generally be able to diagnose and treat viral conjunctivitis. If symptoms persist, worsen, or you experience serious vision disorders, you may be referred to an ophthalmologist or ophthalmologist.

Your health care provider can determine the cause of pink eye by examining your eye and asking about your medical history, including how your symptoms appear and whether you’ve been in close contact with someone with conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis is likely to occur if your symptoms are related to a respiratory infection or colds, and if the discharge from the affected eye is watery rather than thick.

If your symptoms persist for two or three weeks or become more serious even with home remedies, your healthcare provider may want to perform an eye culture to determine the cause. Using a cotton swab and sending it to the laboratory for examination under a microscope by a pathologist, who will then be able to find out if conjunctivitis is caused by viruses or bacteria.

Treatment

Viral conjunctivitis may go away on its own after a few days or even two weeks.6 Treatment focuses mainly on relieving symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend in-home remedies to relieve symptoms and prevent recurrence, including: 7

• Apply warm or cold compresses such as a wet towel to closed eyelids three or four times a day. Warm compresses help reduce the sticky buildup of secretions on the eyelids or dandruff that forms on your eyelashes, while cold compresses help relieve itching and inflammation.
• Avoid contact lenses and wear glasses instead for 10 to 12 days or until the condition is resolved. Contact lenses that have been previously worn may be a source of reinfection. Your healthcare provider may ask you to disinfect or carefully dispose of those lenses and even their conditions.
• Your healthcare provider may prescribe steroid drops to reduce discomfort from more serious infections or, in the case of the herpes virus, an antiviral medication.

• It is suggested that you stay away from your workplace or school until symptoms become clear. In general, this will be once your eyes become reddened and irritated and the discharge is no longer visible. In the case of each person individually.

• Be sure to practice good hygiene, from washing hands regularly to avoid touching shared surfaces and utensils, while being in the company of others to prevent the spread of viruses.3 Keep in mind that you can spread the virus as long as you have symptoms.

Tips to avoid spreading conjunctivitis to others

Wash your hands regularly and avoid rubbing your eyes with your fingers and then touching common surfaces. Handshakes are also a common way to spread the virus. Germs can travel from an infected person’s hand to the hand of the person they touch and eventually their eye moves if you rub their face. Also, avoid sharing old or used eye makeup and eye drops with others. If you return to school or work still contagious, make sure you don’t share towels or kitchen utensils with others.

A word from Ibsar Specialized Center

Viral conjunctivitis can be a disorder in everyday life. Although it is very similar to the common cold or any other viral infection, it usually passes after about two to three weeks. The viruses that cause this and other conditions cannot be treated with antibiotics or medications, but symptoms can be reduced through self-care procedures at home. As always, if your symptoms worsen or you experience sudden drastic changes in your vision, consult your healthcare provider.