Symptoms of conjunctivitis
If the conjunctiva of the eye is irritated, an inflammation of the conjunctiva can develop, a so-called conjunctivitis. In this case the eye is soaked, red and hurts or itches. The reason for the redness of the eye is the increased blood circulation of the conjunctiva, so that the actual white of the eyes appears red. Especially small children often suffer from conjunctivitis, which can have various causes:
- Bacterial infection
- Virus infection
- Allergy
- Foreign body in the eye.
Bacterial conjunctivitis
During the birth process, transmission of gonococcus or chlamydia from mother to child is possible. When passing through the birth canal in a narrow passage, these bacteria are virtually forced into the eyes of the newborn, often resulting in severe conjunctivitis after a few days. These bacteria are the most common cause of bacterial conjunctivitis in older children and adults.
These bacteria are often found in opened containers for eye drops, cosmetics and contact lens solutions that are used for a long time. Pseudomonas bacteria lead to a rapidly developing conjunctivitis, which also spreads to the cornea of the eye and can cause severe complications and late damage. Chlamydia is mainly transmitted during sexual intercourse and can then reach the eye via the hands.
The conjunctivitis caused by this is known as inclusion corpuscular conjunctivitis and, especially in poorer countries under poor hygiene conditions, passes into trachoma, which in the long term is very likely to lead to blindness. Chlamydia can also be transmitted in swimming pools, but this happens very rarely and can be treated with medication. In addition to the general symptoms of conjunctivitis, the bacterial infection also causes the formation of large amounts of mucus with yellowish-purulent accumulations in the corners of the eyes.
In the morning when waking up the eyes are sticky and burning. Chlamydia infection of the conjunctiva causes typical protrusions (papillae), which are called inclusion bodies and represent accumulations of defence cells in the conjunctiva. Often both eyes are equally affected by bacterial conjunctivitis.
Viral conjunctivitis
Adenoviruses are highly infectious. Types 8 and 19 of the adenoviruses can cause a so-called keratoconcunctivitis epidemica, which is a highly infectious conjunctivitis. The inflammation begins in one eye and spreads to the other eye only a few days later.
The lymph nodes in the face swell up and by shaking hands and sharing towels the conjunctivitis is rapidly transmitted in the environment of the affected person. Even two weeks after infestation of the second eye, keratoconcunctivitis epidemica is still contagious and thorough hygiene measures are absolutely necessary. Especially when children come into contact with the herpes virus for the first time, conjunctivitis in combination with small herpes blisters on the lip can occur.
The viruses of influenza, measles, rubella and chickenpox can also cause irritation of the conjunctiva. Conjunctivitis can also be caused by Enterovirus 70 and Mollusca contagiosa (smallpox). Here, the main symptoms are a foreign body sensation, watery and slimy tear secretion and swollen eyes. The eyes are very itchy and so the virus is quickly spread to both eyes by the hands, so that conjunctivitis also occurs on both sides. Further symptoms are:
- Reddened eye
- Photophobia/glare sensitivity
- Crampy eyelid closure.
