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Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Seven

GENERAL HEALTH Viral Viral conjunctivitis is the most common conjunctivitis and is usually caused by the adenovirus, which is one of the causes of the common cold. It is more common in children but adults can easily become infected as well. There are two subtypes of adenoviral conjunctivas: pharyngoconjunctival fever, which can be associated with a high temperature and cold and flu like symptoms, and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), which often has more severe eye symptoms. Adenoviral conjunctivitis is extremely contagious and can easily spread through early childhood centres, schools, health facilities, workplaces and families. It can be spread not only by contact with an infected person or child but also contact with personal equipment and medical equipment of an infected person. The herpes virus, in particular the herpes simplex virus (cold core virus) and herpes zoster virus (shingles) can also cause conjunctivitis, however this is generally associated with skin changes such as small eyelid vesicles or ulcers, especially if it is the first time a person has been infected. Herpes simplex conjunctivitis tends to recur, similar to cold sores around the mouth, and patients will often be able to tell their doctor that they prone to herpes simplex eye infections. Bacterial Bacterial conjunctivitis is normally caused by common bugs such as staphylococcus and streptococcus species. These sorts of conjunctivitis are more common in children and are also normally caused by contact with an infectious person or contact with their personal equipment. Sometimes bacterial conjunctivitis can occur due to spread of infection from the person’s own sinuses or nasal tract. Uncommon causes of bacterial conjunctivitis in an adult can be due to sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia or gonococcus infection. These may or may not be in association with genitourinary symptoms such as urethral discharge in a male. Any person who suspects they may have a sexually transmitted conjunctivitis, or has an unusual conjunctivitis failing to respond to treatment, needs to see an eye specialist, as these cases of conjunctivitis can be more severe and in rare cases potentially vision threatening. A rare type of bacterial (very rarely viral) conjunctivitis, called ophthalmia neonatorum, can occur in newborn babies due to direct contamination through the birth tract. Any red, discharging eye in a baby in the first month of life needs urgent assessment by a doctor, as if left untreated can cause blindness and even death. THOSE AT RISK OF ACUTE ADENOVIRAL VIRAL CONJUNCTIVITIS INCLUDE: • Children attending day care or schools • Children and adults in close contact with an infected person • Children and adults with the common cold • Contact with personal equipment of an infected person eg. towels, drink bottles, cosmetics • Contact with medical equipment 30 Pindara Magazine 2016


Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Seven
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