The visual system pays for its complex structure with numerous diseases. Age, external factors, congenital pathologies, chronic diseases all have an adverse effect on eye health to one degree or another. According to WHO statistics, the majority of all people on the planet experience various vision problems. Moreover, most often the eyes are exposed to infectious diseases, among which conjunctivitis accounts for a significant share. This disease owes its high anti-rating to two factors. Firstly, conjunctivitis is the name of a whole group of eye diseases, which unites all types of inflammatory processes occurring on the mucous membrane of the organ of vision. And secondly, in most cases, conjunctivitis occurs due to a cold, which has firmly held the leading position in the number of sick people for more than one century.
After all, every person on the planet has to deal with a cold, more than once in their life.
Eliminating the cause
If conjunctivitis develops against the background of a cold, then its treatment should not be limited only to relieving eye inflammation. Therapy should be aimed at eliminating the underlying disease and be comprehensive. But in order for the treatment regimen to bring a positive result, first of all, it is necessary to establish the cause of the cold. That is, it is necessary to determine the root of the problem, and not to fight its consequences, which have already grown to the stage of conjunctivitis. Therefore, first you need to know what a cold is and why it occurs.
A cold is a general name for all acute respiratory diseases that are caused by pathogenic microorganisms. The most common of them are various groups of viruses and bacteria. Moreover, viral infection accounts for more than 90% of all cases of colds.
Methods of transmission of conjunctivitis with influenza
In general, inflammation of the eye shell can be divided into isolated and concomitant. In the first case, the disease is caused by the activity of a specific virus: herpes, Coxsackie virus and adenovirus. In the second, the disease develops against the background of another viral disease, for example, influenza.
In the vast majority of cases, people with viral conjunctivitis require hospitalization. This is due to the high contagiousness of the disease. It occurs by contact and airborne droplets (usually due to infection with the herpes virus).
Causes of viral conjunctivitis
If we talk about colds in the context of ARVI, then their causative agents in most cases are various infectious agents called viruses. They are the ones that affect a person’s upper respiratory tract and cause coughing, sneezing, sore throat, swelling of the nasal mucosa, severe runny nose and sometimes profuse lacrimation. It is important to know that colds are not caused by just one virus. Today there are about three hundred different species, of which, according to available data, only 150 are dangerous to humans. Moreover, most of them in one form or another affect the organs of vision. Therefore, for convenience, biologists have conventionally divided all viruses into five groups of the same type.
Each group of the virus has its own favorite place in the human body, where it easily penetrates and begins to multiply intensively there. It is this part of the anatomical body that is affected first and the full development of the disease begins from there. For example, it is already clear from the name that rhinovirus infection mainly affects the nasal mucosa, but coronaviruses most often settle in the larynx. But still, the most insidious pathogen of ARVI is adenoviral infection, which, in addition to the upper respiratory tract, also affects the mucous membrane of the eyes. That is why with this type of infection, in addition to the usual symptoms of a cold, such unpleasant symptoms as redness of the eyes, burning and feeling of sand under the eyelids, excessive lacrimation and photophobia are added.
Types of viral conjunctivitis
It is known that all colds of conjunctivitis begin with infection of the upper respiratory tract. As a rule, the main causative agents of such an inflammatory process are two types of viruses: adenovirus and herpetic virus. It is they who determine the type of conjunctivitis, each of which is an eternal companion to the common cold. Common symptoms of both adenoviral and herpetic conjunctivitis include:
- most often one organ of vision is affected and in rare cases the inflammation spreads to the second;
- severe redness of the white of the eye;
- the visual organ is in an irritated state;
- profuse lacrimation.
Despite the fact that in most cases all colds end in complete recovery of the patient, it is under no circumstances impossible to ignore, and especially not take any action to treat inflammatory eye damage.
It is important to remember that viral conjunctivitis is the main cause of such a dangerous corneal disease as keratitis, which, in turn, can lead to more severe consequences, including loss of vision.
Adenoviral conjunctivitis
Adenoviral conjunctivitis develops against the background of damage to the upper respiratory tract, and always follows diseases such as rhinitis, tonsillitis or pharyngitis. This disease is often called pharyngoconjunctival fever. The thing is that a cold caused by an adenovirus always begins with a sharp rise in temperature, and is also accompanied by a headache and severe irritation in the throat. And only after the rapid development of the first symptoms of the disease, they are joined by unpleasant signs of conjunctivitis. First, one eye is affected, then after about 1-3 days the other one may become inflamed, then the eyelids become very swollen, the whites of the eyes turn red and clear discharge appears in them.
Depending on the characteristic symptoms, three types of adenoviral conjunctivitis are distinguished:
- catarrhal disease has an acute, but rather mild course of the disease, the symptoms are mild and recovery occurs within a week;
- the membranous form is always accompanied by the formation of gray films on the mucous membranes of the eye, which can strongly adhere to the conjunctiva and complicate the course of the disease;
- Follicular conjunctivitis is characterized by the formation of blisters on the mucous membrane of the optic organ.
Transmission of adenoviral infection most often occurs through airborne droplets, through sneezing, coughing, and less often through contact. That is why this disease mainly affects children's groups. The incubation period of adenoviral conjunctivitis lasts from 3 to 10 days, and it is completely cured in about two weeks.
Herpetic conjunctivitis
The causative agent of herpetic conjunctivitis is the simple herpes virus. The main factor that helps this infection to easily penetrate the human body is weak immunity and vitamin deficiencies. That is why children are most often susceptible to infection with herpesvirus, although adults are not immune from this disease. In 95 out of 100 cases, the herpes virus enters the body through contact. And only in rare situations can an infection pass from a sick person to a healthy person through sneezing and coughing.
General symptoms
Note! Signs of conjunctivitis caused by a cold:
- redness of the mucous membrane of the eyelids and sclera;
- sensation of a foreign body in the eyes;
- discomfort when moving the eyeballs and blinking;
- profuse lacrimation , aggravated by coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose;
- itching, severe burning;
- deterioration of visual function;
- swelling of the upper and lower eyelids , bags under the eyes in the morning;
- purulent discharge;
- eyelash clumping;
- increase in body temperature.
In children with this disease, cloudy films form on the sclera, which are easily removed, the child becomes nervous and capricious, and tries to scratch his eyes.
Patients also complain of severe paroxysmal headache, weakness , photophobia and increased sensitivity of the eyes .
Bacterial colds as a cause of conjunctivitis
In rare cases, a cold may be caused by a pathogenic or opportunistic bacterium. As for opportunistic microorganisms, they are always present in the body of a healthy person and are part of the microflora of the mucous membrane of his eyes, nose and larynx. Under favorable conditions, such bacteria do not cause any harm to their host. But if, for example, a person is very cold or has a decrease in immunity, then opportunistic microorganisms begin to multiply intensively, which triggers the development of a cold. Common opportunistic cold pathogens include staphylococci and streptococci.
As for pathogenic bacteria that usually infect a person from the outside, the main ones include pneumococcus, Staphylococcus aureus or Haemophilus influenzae.
All bacterial colds are accompanied by purulent discharge from the nose and eyes. This is due to the fact that colds are caused by pyogenic bacteria. Therefore, such an infectious disease is always accompanied by conjunctivitis, in which the discharge from the eyes has a viscous consistency and a yellowish-gray tint.
Treatment of cold conjunctivitis
Treatment of any conjunctivitis should begin with establishing a correct diagnosis, which will help determine the nature of the disease. If the cause of inflammation of the eye mucosa is a cold, then first you need to find out what microorganism could provoke inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. If it is a viral infection, then the therapy should have an antiviral effect, but if the cause of the cold is a bacteria, then the patient should be prescribed antibiotics. Moreover, treatment should be aimed at eliminating not only conjunctivitis, but also the cold itself.
Symptoms of cold conjunctivitis are always combined with upper respiratory tract disease. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis of this pathology is established on the basis of clinical data, which is obtained by cytological, bacteriological and virological examination of a smear taken from the eye.
Treatment of conjunctivitis caused by adenovirus
Modern medicine, unfortunately, does not yet have drugs that can selectively act on adenoviruses. Therefore, for the treatment of adenoviral conjunctivitis, mainly broad-spectrum antiviral drugs or, in other words, various types of interferons are used. They are usually produced in the form of eye drops, and the most popular ones include:
- ophthalmeron contains human interferon, relieves acute inflammation, has immunomodulatory and antiviral effects;
- Poludan is made from synthetic endogenous interferons and has an antiviral effect;
- Actipol induces endogenous interferons, has an antiviral effect and is a powerful antioxidant;
- Albucid is found to be a universal drug for all types of conjunctivitis.
Sometimes, if it is necessary to enhance the effect of treatment, the doctor prescribes antiviral ointments. If adenoviral conjunctivitis is complicated by a bacterial infection, antibiotics are prescribed in a comprehensive manner. As an additional treatment, you can use traditional methods, for example, washing your eyes with a decoction of anti-inflammatory herbs or tea.
It is important to consider that with adenoviral conjunctivitis the prognosis is always favorable. And if you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, complete recovery occurs in 2 to 3 weeks.
Treatment of herpetic conjunctivitis
Treatment of herpetic conjunctivitis is no fundamentally different from adenoviral inflammation of the eyes. In the same way, diagnostics are carried out, the causative agent of the disease is identified and antiviral, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and antiherpetic eye drops and ointments are prescribed. If herpes has affected the skin folds of the eyes, they are usually treated with brilliant green, and special ointments, for example Zovirax, Acyclovir or Bonafton, are placed under the lower eyelid. In a situation where herpetic blisters have covered a significant part of the skin of the face, the doctor must prescribe oral medications aimed specifically at combating herpes.
Possible complications of conjunctivitis with influenza
One of the most common complications of viral conjunctivitis during and after influenza is the transition of inflammation of the conjunctiva to a chronic form. This can happen due to improper treatment, its rapid completion, non-compliance with doctor’s recommendations, or violation of the medication regimen.
Keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea that can lead to complete blindness, also often develops. That is why you cannot ignore conjunctivitis with the flu and you should consult a doctor at the first symptoms.
Prevention of cold conjunctivitis
Prevention of infectious conjunctivitis that occurs against the background of a cold should begin with identifying the causes that caused the acute respiratory disease. Most often, people suffer from this form of conjunctivitis, like the cold itself, in the autumn or winter. After all, it is enough to freeze at a bus stop, get your feet wet, stand in a draft, or even communicate with an infected person, as the immune system is dealt a severe blow, from which it weakens and ceases to fully protect the body from pathogenic microorganisms. And if we add the lack of vitamins that the body does not receive enough during this period, then an unfavorable picture emerges.
Therefore, to prevent colds of conjunctivitis, the first step is to strengthen the immune system. And for this you need to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat environmentally friendly and harmless foods, and most importantly, give up bad habits. We must also not forget about the rules of hygiene. It is necessary to constantly wash your hands, change pillowcases frequently, and use only a clean towel and a personal handkerchief. It is imperative to avoid crowded places, especially during periods of increased activity of viral infections. And most importantly, you need to completely exclude any contact with an already sick person.
If all these rules are strictly followed, you can not only avoid infectious conjunctivitis, but also forget about the cold for a long time.
