-OVERVIEW OF CONJUNCTIVITIS-
Conjunctivitis is the medical term for a condition which is more commonly known to the general public as Pink Eye. In some cases this condition is caused by allergies, but in most instances its cause is rooted in a viral infection. Some of the viruses which can cause conjunctivitis are extraordinarily contagious. Therefore, people who may be infected with those viruses should be sequestered away from others as much as is possible. Also, those who fear that they have been exposed to pink eye, or that they are currently infected, should certainly consult a medical professional.
-GENERAL SYMPTOMS-
In terms of symptoms, the absolute hallmark trait found in most conjuctivitis cases is a marked redness of the eyes. Hence, the term “pink eye.” This is derived from the fact that conjunctivitis sufferers display a reddening or pinkish hue in the whites of their eyes. This can often appear in only one eye at a time, but in the more infectious strains the infection generally spreads easily to the other eye as well.
Another basic symptom of conjunctivitis, one that is universal amongst the different types of the disease, is severe irritation of the eye, or of both eyes. This can manifest itself in myriad different fashions, including burning, swelling, sensitivity, and many other similar ailments. The defining characteristic, however, is that this irritation is present in combination with reddening of the eye. These two characteristics, when found in tandem, are usually indicative of a serious pink eye episode.
Likewise, watering of the eyes is the other standard symptom of conjunctivitis. Although watery eyes aren’t always present, this is another extremely common side effect of the infection that is taking place. As with the other symptoms, the watering of the eyes is part of the body’s way of fighting the infection with its own natural defenses. The reddening of the eye’s tissues is due to increased blood flow that is also an effort to fight the disease, as is the irritation, which is the brain’s way of alerting the infected individual of their predicament.
-TYPES OF CONJUNCTIVITIS-
There are several different forms of conjunctivitis that bear mentioning. First of all, and quite common, there is the form that is referred to as viral conjunctivitis. The viral form of this ailment is the form that most individuals tend to imagine when they first think of the term “pink eye.” Viral conjunctivitis is usually very contagious and tends to be rather noticeable, usually creating a definite pink hue in the whites of the eyes of those infected. There is also commonly a discharge that tends to be somewhat watery and moderate itching of the infected eye, or eyes. This type of pink eye may be associated with other types of viral infections, as well, such as a common cold or upper respiratory infection.
Bacterial conjunctivitis, on the other hand, tends to cause a distinctive discharge from the infected eye, or eyes. This discharge, which is typically thick, mucus-like, and cloudy, can be so severe as to actually bind the lids of the infected eye together. Bacterial pink eye also can cause a crusty area to form around the eye, although this is not always the case. Bacterial conjunctivitis can be caused by several different types of bacteria and, therefore, the symptoms can differ somewhat from case to case.
There is, though, one type of conjunctivitis that isn’t really infections at all. For example, there is allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by severe allergic reactions and can illicit extremely unpleasant itching sensation in the eyes, along with redness, discharge, and other symptoms which are consistent with infectious pink eye.
-TREATMENT OF CONJUNCTIVITIS-
Unfortunately, for those suffering from viral conjunctivitis there is no truly effective cure. Instead, its best to simply treat the symptoms as well as possible with cool compresses, doctor-prescribed steroidal ointments, and standard eye drops. These treatments should relieve the majority of the discomfort, but those who are infected should remain isolated from others due to the risk of infection.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is also quite infectious, but can be treated with antibiotics, especially in the form of antibiotic eye drops. Its discomforting symptoms can be treated identically as those found in viral conjunctivitis.
For allergic conjunctivitis sufferers, the best treatment is to wash the eyes out with cool, sanitary water on a frequent basis, use cool compresses to relieve swelling, and to take antihistamine medicines when flares occur.
