Is conjunctivitis contagious and what should I do with it?

Of all the diseases associated in one way or another with the eyes, conjunctivitis is one of the most common. But, if it started, it is necessary not only to understand how to cure it, but also to know if it is contagious, so that if necessary, take appropriate preventive measures. But let's go in order.

What it is

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye.It can be caused by various factors, from allergic reaction to infectious infection.There are three main types of disease:

1. virus;
2. bacterial;
3. infectious.

There are various subtypes of the disease, for example, the viral form can be divided into adenoviral or enteroviral.Depending on the diagnosed type of problem, it is necessary to resort to a suitable form of treatment.

Manifestation of conjunctivitis

Causes

Causes of the disease can vary greatly.Viral conjunctivitis is caused by the entry of a viral infection by airborne droplets.

It can provoke, for example, the flu epidemic. Most often the disease progresses in closed rooms, but this does not always happen.

Often the problem is seasonal, for example, during the flowering period of various plants. If a person has this allergy, then the side illnesses, like the same conjunctivitis, will be absolutely natural.

Bacterial conjunctivitis provokes streptococci, pneumococci, as well as staphylococci and other pathogenic microorganisms that are transmitted on contact.

For this reason, this form of conjunctivitis is very often called "sickness of dirty hands".

Allergic, as can be understood from the name, occurs due to the development in the human body of allergic reactions to certain stimuli.

As to whether the conjunctivitis is contagious, then everything depends on which particular subtype it is. If we are talking about viral conjunctivitis, it is contagious, transmitted by airborne droplets even at a distance. If we talk about bacterial conjunctivitis, it is also contagious, but it is more difficult to get infected, it only happens through contact, therefore adherence to basic hygiene will prevent infection. And the allergic subspecies of the disease is absolutely not contagious, because the allergy arises from the individual characteristics of the organism.

Symptoms

Symptoms in the disease are common, characteristic of all its forms, but can be private, characteristic only for certain species. Common symptoms include the following:

• pain in the eye area;
• redness;
• itching;
• irritation;
• the sensation of sand entering the eyes;
• increased photosensitivity;
• puffiness of eyelids:
• uncontrolled lacrimation;
• the feeling that a film formed on the eye;
• slightly blurred vision;
• the appearance of mucus that separates from the eyes;
• after sleep appearance on eyelashes and eyelids crusts.

Further signs are characteristic mainly for specific forms of the disease, but in some cases, symptoms may overlap and overlap, so do not still make premature conclusions without turning to specialist.

• Viral conjunctivitis is characterized primarily by the reddening of the eyes and the appearance of mucous secretions.The eyelids become swollen when swollen, and lachrymation manifests itself in an intensified scale. The process can affect just two eyes - usually even if initially only one was infected, the disease is extremely quickly transferred to the second.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis usually develops with predominant pus, sometimes after sleep it is very difficult to open eyes with it.Sometimes the discharge from the eyes begins to be greenish. Inflammation most often affects both eyes.
• Allergic conjunctivitis is accompanied by a particularly strong reddening of the eyes combined with lacrimation.A person begins to suffer from an itchy sensation, a runny nose, stuffiness and swelling of the nose.

If at least some of these signs are present in you, then, whatever type of disease is, consult a doctor.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of conjunctivitis begins with visual examination of the patient and collection of anamnesis.After this, additional research may be necessary to clarify the situation.

Carry out various tests, including:

• bacteriological;
• cytological;
• virological;
• cutaneous allergic.

An antibioticogram can also be made, which will allow to diagnose how much a particular bacterium is susceptible to various kinds of antibiotics.

Treatment

Treatment is based on the reason that initially caused the problem.For example, if viral conjunctivitis was diagnosed, then antiviral drops are prescribed, sometimes also corticosteroids.With bacterial conjunctivitis, local antibacterial drugs are prescribed. With an allergic form, antihistamine drops are recommended that help reduce itching. With inflammation, you can cope with the use of non-steroidal (less often-steroid) anti-inflammatory drugs. At the same time, one should not engage in self-medication, one can only aggravate and intensify the course of the disease.

Complications

Conjunctivitis in neglected form is characterized by a large number of various possible complications, which can have a very negative impact on the human body.The most common problem is keratitis, which, if complicated, can completely lose sight. Also among the dangerous problems are:

• Sepsis.Simply put, blood poisoning, a dangerous condition that occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and begin to attack the body's tissues.
• Otitis media.This is a short-term ear infection.

• Meningitis.It is an infection of the protective layer of cells that surround the dorsal and brain, that is, the meninges.

There may be other problems, for example, abscesses and phlegmon that develop in deep tissues.

Prevention

Prevention can vary depending on which form of conjunctivitis it is.If it is a viral conjunctivitis, then it is necessary to avoid contact with people who are sick with it. If it is bacterial, then it is necessary to observe the maximum purity.You should always wash your hands, try not to rub their eyes, do not use other's personal hygiene products, observe the general cleanliness in the house, not allowing the spread of contaminants. When the allergen factor is necessary to protect the person from the allergen, and if this possibility is not available, then ensure timely reception of prescribed antihistamines and other necessary medications by a doctor, which help to restrain an allergic reaction.

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conclusions

Conjunctivitis is not one disease, but several diseases that can be caused by different pathogens, and therefore are treated differently. Whether it is possible to catch from such disease - it depends on what exactly its subtype is talking about. The most dangerous from the point of view of infection is viral conjunctivitis, which can be transmitted by airborne droplets, because it can be picked up at a distance. Bacterial form of the disease for infection will require a violation of hygiene, so you need to be careful. Well, allergic to catch is unrealistic.