- Main symptoms
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- How viral conjunctivitis begins
- How the treatment is done
- General care during treatment
- Viral conjunctivitis leaves sequels?
Viral conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye caused by viruses, such as adenovirus or herpes, which cause symptoms such as intense eye discomfort, redness, itching and excessive production of tears.
Although viral conjunctivitis often goes away without needing specific treatment, it is very important to consult an ophthalmologist, to confirm the type of conjunctivitis and to receive the correct guidelines to facilitate treatment.
In addition, as viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious, it is advisable to maintain all precautions to avoid passing the infection on to others. This includes including washing your hands whenever you touch your face, avoiding scratching your eyes and not sharing objects that are in direct contact with your face, such as towels or pillows.
Main symptoms
The symptoms that usually arise in the case of viral conjunctivitis are:
- Intense itching in the eyes; Excessive tear production; Redness in the eye; Hypersensitivity to light; Feeling of sand in the eyes
Normally, these symptoms appear only in one eye, as there is no production of skin that ends up infecting the other eye. However, if proper care is not followed, the other eye may end up being infected after 3 or 4 days, developing the same symptoms, which remain for 4 to 5 days.
In addition, there are some cases where a painful tongue appears near the ear and is caused by the presence of the infection in the eyes, gradually disappearing with the symptoms of the eye.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The symptoms of viral or bacterial conjunctivitis are very similar and, therefore, the best way to know if it really is viral conjunctivitis is to go to the ophthalmologist. The doctor can make the diagnosis only by assessing the symptoms, but can also do a tear test, where he looks for the presence of viruses or bacteria.
Watch the following video and learn more about how to distinguish viral conjunctivitis from other types of conjunctivitis:
How viral conjunctivitis begins
Transmission of viral conjunctivitis occurs through contact with the secretion of the infected person's eye or through the sharing of objects, such as handkerchiefs or towels, that have come into direct contact with the affected eye. Other ways to get viral conjunctivitis are:
- Wear the makeup of a person with conjunctivitis; Use the same towel or sleep on the same pillow as someone else; Share glasses or contact lenses; Give hugs or kisses to someone with conjunctivitis.
The disease is transmissible for as long as the symptoms last, so the person with conjunctivitis should avoid leaving the house, as it can transmit the disease very easily, even through a simple handshake, since the virus can stay on the skin when itching the eye, for example.
How the treatment is done
Viral conjunctivitis usually resolves on its own, without needing a specific treatment, however, the doctor may recommend some remedies to relieve symptoms and facilitate the recovery process.
For this, it is quite common for the ophthalmologist to recommend the use of moisturizing eye drops or artificial tears, 3 to 4 times a day, to relieve itching, redness and the feeling of sand in the eyes. In rarer cases, where the person is very sensitive to light, and where the conjunctivitis lasts for a long time, the doctor may also prescribe other medications, such as corticosteroids.
In addition, washing the eyes several times a day and applying cold compresses over the eye, also help to greatly relieve symptoms.
General care during treatment
In addition to the use of medicines and measures to relieve symptoms, it is also very important to take some precautions to avoid transmission, since viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious:
- Avoid scratching your eyes or bringing your hands to your face; Wash your hands frequently and whenever you touch your face; Use disposable tissues or compresses to clean your eyes; Wash and disinfect any object that is in direct contact with your face, such as towels or pillowcases;
In addition, it is still very important to avoid close contact with other people, through handshakes, kisses or hugs and, therefore, it is also advised to avoid going to work or school, as this increases the risk of passing the infection on to other people.
Viral conjunctivitis leaves sequels?
Viral conjunctivitis usually leaves no sequelae, but blurred vision can occur. To avoid this consequence, it is recommended to use only eye drops and artificial tears that have been recommended by the doctor and, if any difficulty in vision is identified, you should go back to the ophthalmologist.
