Is viral conjunctivitis contagious?

summary

Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis occur after an incubation period of about 5-12 days, including conjunctival congestion, watery secretions, eye irritation, and adhesion of upper and lower eyelids when awake. Symptoms often appear in both eyes, but usually begin with one eye. Many patients have been in contact with conjunctivitis and / or recently with upper respiratory tract infection. Bulbar conjunctiva and palpebral conjunctiva hyperemia, conjunctival follicles, preauricular lymph nodes swelling and pain. Is viral conjunctivitis contagious? Next, I'd like to share my views with you.

Is viral conjunctivitis contagious?

Patients with severe viral conjunctivitis may complain of photophobia and foreign body sensation. There may be fibrin pseudomembrane, inflammatory cells and / or focal keratitis on the surface of conjunctiva. Even after conjunctivitis subsides, residual corneal scar formation (0.5-1.0 mm) can be seen by slit lamp examination for 2 years or more. This kind of corneal scar formation may cause visual loss and significant glare.

Although viral conjunctivitis can be cultured, special tissue culture equipment is needed to make the virus grow. Secondary bacterial infection is rare. If any of the components present, such as purulent secretions, are consistent with bacterial conjunctivitis, bacterial culture is required.

Smears can be examined microscopically with Gram staining to identify bacteria and Giemsa staining to determine leukocyte response. Acute follicular conjunctivitis is the main manifestation, including epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, epidemic hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, pharyngeal conjunctival herpes simplex virus conjunctivitis and Newcastle disease conjunctivitis.

matters needing attention

Usually should separate the use of towels, handkerchiefs, basins and other toiletries, in order to avoid the transmission of viral conjunctivitis to others. Viral conjunctivitis is highly infectious, patients should pay attention to isolation, can not go to public places, so as not to infect others. At this time their own resistance is also low, easy to co infection with other diseases.