Red, itchy, itchy eyes? Don’t panic: it’s probably Conjunctivitis. This inflammation, often not serious, can be of allergic, viral or bacterial origin. Is it contagious? How to treat this eye disorder? We take stock.
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or irritation of the conjunctiva of the eye. As a reminder, the conjunctiva is a thin transparent membrane covering the inner wall of the eyelid (palpebral conjunctiva) and all of the visible parts of the eyeball (bulbar conjunctiva), apart from the cornea.
A red, watery or even purulent eye and a swollen eyelid are suggestive symptoms. This conjunctival disorder is a normal defence reaction of the body. To fight against external aggressions, cells of the conjunctiva produce substances that stimulate the dilation of blood vessels and an influx of protective cells.
“Treatment for almost all Conjunctivitis comes down to washing your eyes. In infectious Conjunctivitis, it eliminates the infectious load located in the conjunctival fornix.
Conjunctivitis is a common disease. It would be the first cause of ophthalmological consultation in general medicine (source 1). The origin of this condition is most often bacterial (in 4 out of 10 cases), followed by viral and allergic aetiologies. In children, it is vital in nearly 80% of cases (source 2).
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We distinguish:
Note that Conjunctivitis can be acute, chronic (if poorly managed) or recurrent: “Conjunctivitis that always relapses in the same eye can obscure an obstruction of the lacrimal passages. If Conjunctivitis recurs in both eyes, it may suggest extensive inflammation of the eyeball. In these cases, it is preferable to consult”, according to the specialist.
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In the vast majority of cases, Conjunctivitis is linked to a virus or bacteria. It can also be of allergic origin. The other etiologies are rarer.
In 36% of cases (source 2), Conjunctivitis is of viral origin (and in nearly 80% of children). Many viruses can cause Conjunctivitis: certain enteroviruses, adenoviruses, rubella, herpes, shingles or even measles. These viruses are very contagious.
In the majority of cases, viral Conjunctivitis is not serious. But more rarely, certain viruses can cause severe symptoms:
In adults, Conjunctivitis is mostly bacterial. The causal bacteria are streptococcus, staphylococcus or Haemophilus influenza.
Chlamydia and gonococcus are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can infect the eye through direct (during childbirth, mother to fetus) or indirect (usually through the hands) contact with genital secretions.
Chlamydia causes a rare conjunctivitis called trachoma. The complications of this Conjunctivitis due to chlamydia or gonococcus are sometimes serious, which can compromise blindness. Support is therefore essential.
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Conjunctivitis can also result from:
In infants, Conjunctivitis may be due to:
Be careful; bacterial and viral Conjunctivitis are extremely contagious. They are transmitted by contact of the eye with infected secretions (ocular or genital).
It is recommended to avoid contact with handkerchiefs, towels, sheets or cosmetics of another person and change / wash your personnel regularly (especially in infection). In addition, hand-eye contact should be avoided.
The contagiousness of Conjunctivitis decreases with the taking of the treatments.
Conjunctivitis can be prevented with a few recommendations.
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