How to cure adenoviral conjunctivitis

Viral infection is a habitual process for the human body.Every day millions of viruses attack it in an attempt to break through protective barriers and find a suitable habitat. In most cases, immune cells successfully cope with their task. Nevertheless, people get sick, and more often they are lesions of the mucous membranes - oral cavity, nose and nasopharynx, as well as conjunctiva (eye mucosa).

Definition of disease

For the adult population, viral eye damage in 80% of cases means adenovirus infection, and if later in the eyes appears pus, it means that through the fault of the patient himself to the disease joined bacteria.

In childhood, viral and bacterial lesions occur at about the same frequency, but here, among the viruses, adenovirus dominates.

Most often, outbreaks of adenovirus infection occur in children's groups, where they spread very quickly in the spring-autumn period. This is due to a temporary decrease in immunity due to adaptation to climatic conditions. However, there are also sporadic (accidental) spread of infection, again in children's groups.

In adults, infection most often affects older people and, as a rule, is single.

Conjunctivitis code for ICD 10: H10.

Types and Classifications

Depending on the strength of the symptoms, as well as their nature, the following forms of the disease are distinguished:

• Catarrhal. Most often the disease takes exactly the catarrhal form, which is the most simple in curing and can last for 7 days. The period of recovery depends on the age of the patient, as well as the state of his immunity. Characterized by minimal symptoms: minor mucous discharge, mild eyelid edema and redness of the eyes;
• Filmy.A characteristic feature is the formation on the eye of the film of gray-white color, which is easily removed with a cotton swab. If adequate treatment is not available, it is possible to form a scar on the mucosa. This form can last up to 12 days and is accompanied by general weakness and high t;

• Follicular.This form is characterized by the most severe symptoms and serious complications. The surface of the mucosa is covered with follicles (blisters) of various sizes, which, without adequate treatment, cause the scarring of the cornea.

The course of adenoviral conjunctivitis can take an acute (pronounced symptomatology and rapid progression) and subacute (moderate rate of development of the disease with symptoms of moderate strength).

Causes

The main cause of the disease is viral infection, which can occur in 2 ways:

• Air-dropping.If you sneeze or cough a patient who is close to you, the virus with droplets of sputum gets on the mucosa of a healthy person, where it is safely implanted. The source of infection can be a healthy person - virus-carrying is sometimes preserved up to 4 weeks from the beginning of infection;
• Fecal-oral. This method of infection is typical for young children aged 5 years. Up to 6 months. the baby protects transplacental immunity. Children who are breastfed are also protected by antibodies derived from mother's milk.

The number of factors provoking adenovirus introduction include:

• Violation of personal hygiene;
• Subcooling;
• Injuries of the eyes;
• Bathing in dirty water (swimming pools or reservoirs);
• Non-compliance with the rules of care or wearing contact lenses;
• Stress;
• ARVI;
• Surgical correction of the cornea.

Carrying out a surgical correction of the cornea

Any condition that requires increased work of the immune system, can lead to its weakening and open the gate for infection.

Symptoms

Adenovirus infection, penetrating into the body, affects not only the mucous eye.First of all, there are general symptoms: rhinitis and pharyngitis, dyspeptic disorders, an increase in t and headache, an increase in submandibular lymph nodes.

Later, there are signs of conjunctivitis: redness and puffiness of the eyelids, sensation of foreign body, burning and itching, photophobia and lacrimation, mucous (sometimes with an admixture of pus) detachable, moderate blepharospasm.

Depending on the form of the disease, the symptoms may vary:

• Catarrhal.Symptoms proceed in the mildest form and last longer than a week;
• Follicular.A characteristic feature - numerous follicles on the mucosa, which can be point, large or small, localize in the corners of the eyelids or cover all the mucous membranes;
• Filmy.This form accounts for up to 25% of all cases. Grayish white films are usually easily removed. However, they sometimes take the form of dense fibrinous overlays that are soldered to the conjunctiva and are difficult to remove. As a result of their removal, the mucosa may begin to bleed. Therefore, with this form of infection, scars on the mucosal surface are often formed.

When diagnosing differentiation of the film form with diphtheria, and follicular - with trachoma.

Possible complications

If the infection occurs in a catarrhal form, and the treatment is performed on time, the risk of complications is minimal.With the development of more severe types of the disease, complications are possible:

• Toxico-allergic or bacterial conjunctivitis.Attachment of bacterial infection or signs of inflammation of an allergic nature can develop in as a result of decreased immunity or increased susceptibility of the mucosa to toxins released microorganisms;
• Dry eye syndrome. The defeat of the conjunctiva leads to a decrease in the production of tear fluid and the development of uncomfortable sensations: dryness and burning, increased eye fatigue, lacrimation and photophobia;

Dry eye syndrome

• Keratitis.Inflammation of the cornea, often occurring with the formation of scars and ulcers, which invariably leads to a decrease in visual acuity;
• Otitis, adenoiditis, tonsillitis. Inflammation of the middle ear, tonsils, as well as the proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx can be the result of viral damage of mucous respiratory tract and Eustachian tube.

Viral damage without adequate treatment can lead to serious changes in the transparency of the cornea and cause a partial or complete loss of vision.

Diagnostics

During the diagnosis, the doctor determines the duration and strength of the symptoms, as well as their nature.And the importance is not only signs of eye disease, but also deterioration of the general condition of the body. The history of the disease also includes information about the alleged contact of the patient with infected adenovirus by people.

Particular attention is paid to bacteriological research:

• Smear with conjunctiva;
• Bacteriological sowing;
• Cytological scrapings.

Diagnosis of Adenoviral Conjunctivitis

Such analyzes allow differentiation with bacterial damage. A mandatory item is an examination using a slit lamp, which allows to assess the degree of lesions of the eye tissues. To identify the virus infection, the most informative technique is PCR (polymerase chain reaction).

Treatment

The treatment is mainly done on an outpatient basis and does not present any special difficulties if it concerns the mild forms of the disease.When developing complications of follicular or pleural conjunctivitis, hospitalization is possible.

Medication Therapy

Conservative methods of treatment are the main ones when choosing therapeutic tactics. The choice of the necessary medicines takes place under the supervision of the doctor strictly individually. Drugs from the following groups can be used:

• Antiviral:Interferon, Laferon;

Drops for eyes "Interferon"

• Antibacterial:Floxal, Albucid. It is necessary when attaching a bacterial infection or for its prevention - as directed by a doctor;
• Antibacterial ointments:Tetracycline, Levomycetin. They are put on the night once a day for the prevention of secondary infection;
• Glucocorticosteroids:Sophradex, Hydrocortisone, Teborex, Dexamethasone. Used to reduce the manifestations of inflammation: swelling, redness. They are used in extreme cases, because they suppress immunity.

Treatment of adenoviral conjunctivitis should be timely and competent, and also take place only under the supervision of a doctor. Otherwise, the infection can spread to adjacent tissues and lead to a decrease in vision.

Folk remedies

Viral infection in most cases with a good level of immunity is successfully suppressed by the forces of the organism itself.As a rule, treatment does not require the use of potent drugs. Therefore, the use of folk remedies in some cases can be an effective addition to medicines:

• Grind the roots of burdock, pour boiling water 3 tbsp. l. raw materials to complete coverage, insist and wash the eyes with filtered infusion;
• Flowers cornflower blue (1 tbsp. l. ) pour 250 ml of boiling water, boil 10 minutes. on low heat and insist almost to full cooling. Use as a solution for rinses and lotions. In addition, enter into the diet fish oil and liver;
• Dilute the juice of the century with boiled water (1: 10) and bury in the eye several times during the day, 2 drops;
• Make an infusion of flowers of chamomile or calendula (1 tbsp. l. on 200 ml of water), strain and rinse the eyes;
• As an antiviral agent, use aromatic eucalyptus oil or cut into a saucer of garlic and put in a room;
• To use for washing the sour milk, it perfectly eliminates the inflammation of the mucous membrane.

When using even folk remedies, the consultation of an ophthalmologist will not be superfluous. However, in the absence of such an opportunity, try to carefully observe all dosages and storage conditions of preparations, or even better - prepare fresh daily.

Prevention

Measures to prevent adenoviral conjunctivitis are no different from the prevention of all viral infections:

• Strict adherence to the rules of personal hygiene;
• Timely isolation of the infected patient, especially in the children's team;
• Elimination of chronic foci of infection and treatment of viral diseases;
• Constant concern for a high level of immunity: a balanced diet, the use of vitamins (natural and synthetic), hardening, exercise or gymnastics, walking in the fresh air;
• Wet tidying and airing.

In fact, with the viruses the body can cope with itself, even if it had not previously met with them. However, for this, it must have strong immunity, the presence of which is a guarantee of protection from viruses.

Video

conclusions

As a rule, adenoviral conjunctivitis develops after a common cold and pharyngitis.Therefore, with the right actions at the very beginning of infection, infection can be avoided.

However, if it does happen, do not let the disease run its course and pay a visit to the doctor, even if you do not intend to take strong medicines. After all, the virus can have a completely different nature and serious complications in case of inadequate therapy.

The main obstacle to infection can be the immune system. In every way, strengthen it, and not only by pharmacy vitamins.After all, natural food gives the body not only vitamin constituents and the necessary trace elements, but also supplies tissues with building materials for the creation of new cells in return for the dead. That is why give preference to natural fish and meat before ready sausages or canned food. This will help to avoid slagging of the body and this will also serve to strengthen immunity.