Generality
Viral conjunctivitis is an inflammatory process of the conjunctiva caused by viruses.
In addition to the causal factor; what distinguishes viral conjunctivitis from the bacterial variant is the therapy: while eye infections caused by bacteria always require antibiotic treatment; viral conjunctivitis tend to resolve spontaneously; without necessarily resorting to antiviral treatment.
Please note
Being an extremely contagious condition; viral conjunctivitis requires due attention to contain the spread of the infection, as well as strict compliance with hygiene rules to speed up healing.
Contagiousness and transmission
Viral conjunctivitis is a highly contagious infection: in principle, the virus can be transmitted from person to person for a period ranging from 10 to 12 days after the onset of symptoms.
Strictly speaking; affected patients should avoid both direct contact with others; both sharing towels; pillows and toiletries in general. Furthermore; to speed up spontaneous healing and minimize the risk of relapse; it is recommended to resist the temptation to scratch your eyes with your hands (especially if dirty).
The transmission of the virus can occur through the accidental inoculation of viral particles directly from the hands of the victim or; more often; through contact with the micro-droplets of saliva coming from the upper respiratory tract of an infected patient. More rarely; viral conjunctivitis can be indirectly transmitted from subject to subject in contaminated waters (common swimming pools).
Causes
As we have seen; the cause of viral conjunctivitis is to be found in a virus-borne insult: more often; in these cases; conjunctival inflammation is related to an upper respiratory infection; including the common cold and sore throat.
The most involved pathogens are:
- Adenovirus; viral agents implicated in numerous diseases of the respiratory tract and in other infectious processes such as gastroenteritis and haemorrhagic cystitis
- Herpes simplex; the same virus responsible for herpetic lesions of the lips and genitals
- Shingles; the main causative agent of the San Antonio fire and post-herpetic neuralgia
- Contagious mollusk; also involved in chronic follicular conjunctivitis
- Picornavirus: responsible for acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis which; while being clinically similar to the adenoviral one; it takes on a haemorrhagic nature and is extremely serious and contagious.
Types of viral conjunctivitis
Even though these are viral infections; conjunctivitis sustained by viruses are not all the same; they essentially differ on the basis of the symptoms accused by the patient and the easily observable signs. To simplify the analysis; the table shows the distinctive features of the most common forms of viral conjunctivitis.
Adenovirus viral conjunctivitis
Generality
Infection; often involving both eyes; is highly infectious:
- Incubation time: 3-29 days
- Contagiousness: about 14 days
Risk factors
- Exposure to an infected individual
- Upper respiratory tract infections
Signs
- Keratitis; or "inflammation of the cornea (possible)
- Eyelid bruising
- Eyelid edema
- Subconjunctival hemorrhages (possible)
- Follicles
- Photophobia
- Preauricular lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes)
Suggestive symptoms
- Burning and itching of the eye
- Hyperlacrimation
- Possible pharyngo-conjunctival fever (typical of adults and children with respiratory tract infections)
- Rare (but possible) corneal involvement
Herpes simplex viral conjunctivitis (HSV)
Generality
- HSV-1 sustained infection predominantly infects adults and middle-aged individuals;
- HSV-2 primarily affects babies born to infected mothers during vaginal delivery
Risk factors
- Direct exposure to an infected individual
- Previous eye infection or cold sores
- Physical and / or psychological stress
- Environmental stress (frequent exposure to smog; wind; cold; UV light etc.)
Signs
- Keratitis
- Follicles
- Photophobia
- Watery secretion
- Enlarged preauricular lymph nodes
- Swollen eyelids
- Eyelid papules (small, red raised patches)
- Herpetic skin vesicles along the eyelid margin (possible)
Characteristic symptoms
- Burning
- One-sided pain
- Possible degeneration of the eyelid papules into painful ulcers
- Sensation of sand in the eye
- Blurred vision
Herpes zoster viral conjunctivitis
Generality
It is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus; after healing of the primary infection (chickenpox)
Risk factors
- Direct contact with a person infected with the virus
- Inhalation of infected saliva micro-droplets
- Old age
- Immunodeficiency
- Physical trauma (e.g. ophthalmic surgery)
Signs
- Eye redness
- Involvement of the eyelid skin (obvious bullous lesions)
- Follicles
- Intolerance to light
- Abundant tearing
- Serous / mucus-purulent secretions
Symptoms
- Fever
- General malaise
- Nausea
- He retched
Molluscum contagiosum viral conjunctivitis
Generality
Although it is a rather rare eventuality; molluscum contagiosum can also involve conjunctival mucous membranes. It is a typical conjunctival infection of immunosuppressed patients (infected with the HIV virus)
Risk factors
- HIV virus
- Alteration of the immune defenses
- Genetic predisposition
Signs
- Formation of small nodules along the eyelid margin
- Conjunctival follicles
- Uni / bilateral infection
- Irritative eyelid lesions
- Serious multiple eyelid irritative lesions (typical of AIDS patients)
Symptoms
- Burning
- Ache
- Blurred vision
- Itching
In general; viral conjunctivitis is distinguished from the bacterial and allergic variant for lacrimation; always abundant and rather watery; and for the marked intolerance to light. The viral origin of conjunctivitis is almost certain in the presence of typical flu symptoms: as we have seen, in fact, this condition is closely linked to colds and flu.
Other articles on "Viral Conjunctivitis"
- Bacterial Conjunctivitis
- Conjunctivitis
- Viral conjunctivitis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention
- Allergic Conjunctivitis: Causes and Symptoms
- Allergic conjunctivitis diagnosis, treatment, prevention
- Conjunctivitis - Drugs for the treatment of Conjunctivitis
