Viral conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is a common and self-limiting eye infection that causes swelling, redness, and discomfort. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, and antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections. Good hygiene and avoiding sharing personal items can help prevent the spread of the virus. While rare, chronic viral conjunctivitis can occur, but serious damage to vision is unlikely.
Viral conjunctivitis is a particularly painful and annoying eye infection caused by a variety of viruses. This condition, also known as pink eye, is usually not serious and often runs its course over a 10-14 day period. Because it is self-limiting, treatment for viral conjunctivitis is based on treating the symptoms and relieving any associated discomfort rather than treating the problem itself. Treatment of this disorder may also include a precautionary course of antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections from occurring.
Symptoms include swelling of the conjunctiva, the part of the eye that is clear and covers the sclera, or the white part of the eye. Redness, itching, painful sores, fever, sore throat, and congestion are also common in most forms of the infection. It is transmitted through infected upper respiratory secretions, contact with inanimate objects that themselves have come into contact with infectious particles, or by swimming in contaminated water. While other methods of transmission can occur, such as one infected person touching one another and then another, this is less common.
Viral conjunctivitis is a common disease, which does not always reach full severity. Depending on the specific virus causing it, the symptoms can be very mild. Viral conjunctivitis is more common where people live in a close community setting such as military barracks, school, dormitory and family home. Using the principles of good hygiene, as well as ensuring that personal items such as towels, washcloths and eye makeup remain unique to each person and are not shared, can go a long way in preventing the spread of viral conjunctivitis. Seeking appropriate medical care in case of suspicion of the disease is also imperative.
Although many people do not suffer from long-term effects from this disease, patients are advised to consult a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. In rare cases, viral conjunctivitis may recur, causing the condition to be considered chronic viral conjunctivitis of the eye. While the period of infection can be irritating, painful and long, serious damage to vision rarely occurs. When it does occur, it is often caused by secondary bacterial infections, which can be prevented by using a course of antibiotics prescribed by a licensed physician.
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