If you're a practitioner, we recommend that you use this information, following a suitable examination, to reinforce advice given to the patient who has symptoms of bacterial or viral conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is one of the most common and treatable eye conditions in children and adults. 1,4 Bacterial conjunctivitis, while less common, is more likely to cause infection in children (50% to 75% of cases). Neisseria infection should be suspected when severe, bilateral, purulent conjunctivitis is present in a se… • Viral pink eye is self-limiting and does not need treatment most of the time. Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of ocular hyperemia. Conjunctivitis is an infection which affects the thin layer of tissue that covers part of the front of the eye and the inside of the eyelids (conjunctiva). Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, has many causes, including bacterial, viral, allergic, and irritants. Viral conjunctivitis is caused by viruses that cause upper respiratory tract infections. Antibiotics, delivered in eye drop or ointment form, are a common course of treatment. Antibiotic drops or ointment will not help with viral conjunctivitis. Eye should be washed thoroughly with clean running water and covered, and the patient should rush to a hospital. It usually clears up without treatment in 7 to 14 days. • Viral conjunctivitis accompanies upper respiratory tract infections. No drops or ointments can treat viral conjunctivitis. All rights reserved. Allergic conjunctivitis – conjunctivitis caused by allergies can be seasonal, occurring at certain times of the year (when due to pollen or grasses), or continuous or ongoing (when caused by allergens such as dust mite or pets). There are three forms of conjunctivitis – bacterial, viral and allergic. Supportive treatments and good hygiene are often enough. Staphylococci and Streptococci are the usual culprits. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, they're more visible. However, if you work in close contact with others, or share equipment such as phones and computers, you shouldn't return to work until the discharge has cleared up. Lymphadenopathy is more prevalent in viral conjunctivitis (occurs in up to 50% of cases) than bacterial conjunctivitis [Azari, 2013]. (Acute viral conjunctivitis) Introduction: Overview inflammation of the conjunctiva; Anatomy: Conjunctiva. For more information on eye health, go to our For patients section. VIRAL CONJUNCTIVITIS • Watery discharge • Highly contagious • Palpable preauricular lymph node • History of URI, sore throat, fever common Ocular Surface … Viral pink eye is caused by viruses like adenovirus and herpes virus. It is not normally serious, and is sometimes referred to as pink or red eye. Allergic conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis, Bacterial / drug therapy* Conjunctivitis, Bacterial / microbiology Conjunctivitis, Viral / diagnosis It may also cause your eyelids to stick together in the morning. This type takes longer to clear up. It is the most common cause of red eye. Proper hand washing, personal eating utensils, cups, towels and handkerchiefs limit spreading. Filed Under: ENT Tagged With: Bacterial conjunctivitis, Bacterial Pink Eye, Pink Eye, Viral conjunctivitis, Viral Pink Eye. Viral Conjunctivitis. Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is redness and inflammation of the membranes (conjuctiva) covering the whites of the eyes and the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids.The term pink-eye is most commonly used to refer to the infectious (viral or bacterial) type of conjunctivitis, but it may also result from allergic reactions or chemical irritants such as air pollution, smoke, or noxious fumes. Some common bacterial infections include strep throat, whooping cough, and urinary tract infections, while viral infections include the common cold, GI bugs, sore throat, and the flu. Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms. However, once a person has bacterial conjunctivitis the infection can be transferred from one eye to another. Unlike with viral pinkeye, experts recommend treating bacterial conjunctivitis. If there are a number of cases of conjunctivitis at your child's school or nursery, you may be advised to keep them away until the infection has cleared up. I usually will have much more swelling, pus in the cul de sac, and much crusting and debris. Bacterial conjunctivitis can be diagnosed by a healthcare provider from the typical symptoms. This type of conjunctivitis is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointments. It features excessive production of tears, itching, pain and blurred vision sometimes. Allergic conjunctivitis. The etiology can usually be determined by a careful history and an ocular examination, but culture is occasionally necessary to establish the diagnosis or to guide therapy. Typically people are referring to a bacterial or viral infection when they say pink eye. Antibiotics, delivered in eye drop or ointment form, are a common course of treatment. This type of pink eye, meanwhile, manifests as a result of airborne viruses spread through sneezing and coughing. Privacy policy, Bacterial conjunctivitis normally causes a yellow or green sticky discharge, Viral conjunctivitis normally causes a watery discharge, Wash your hands before and after cleaning your eyelids, Rub the moistened pad or cotton wool ball firmly but gently along the eyelid edges to remove the crusts, Take care to wipe between the eyelashes of both the upper and lower lids, Use a fresh pad or wipe each time and do not use the same pad for the other eye as this may spread the infection, Dry your eyes gently. • There are no crusting or stuck eye lids in viral conjunctivitis while pus may stick the eyelids together in bacterial conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis is often bilateral, makes the eyes red all over, and has a clear to yellowish secretion but not pus (which is cloudy white). Conjunctivitis usually causes a pink or red, gritty-feeling in the eye. Doctors prescribe antibiotics and pain killers without waiting for reports usually. Antibiotic drops or ointment may speed up how quickly bacterial conjunctivitis clears up by a few days. The most common cause of infectious conjunctivitis is viral, responsible for up to 80% of acute cases of conjunctivitis. Eye allergies can lead to a common, non-contagious reaction called allergic … Photophobia is not prominent in conjunctivitis. Like the viral form, bacterial conjunctivitis is highly contagious. You can download our patient leaflet on bacterial and viral conjunctivitis. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. There are certain infections that can be either bacterial or viral and they include middle ear infections, conjunctivitis, bronchitis, and sinus infections. For example, gonococcal conjunctivitis is caused by the same bacterium that leads to the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea. Children and the elderly are more at risk of a bacterial conjunctivitis. While these organisms cause more redness, Chlamydia does not cause much redness. Viral Vs. Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Symptoms Which Are Common To Both Bacterial & … Diagnosis is clinical. Bacterial conjunctivitis can be confirmed by taking a swab for culture. [email protected], Company registered in England and Wales - number 404790, The Association of Optometrists is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - reference number 313444, Website terms and conditions Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are both infectious types of conjunctivitis. Dr.Samanka is passionate about educating the general public on common diseases. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal. It often starts in one eye, usually spreading to the other. Differentiating viral and bacterial conjunctivitis is difficult yet important to do, as the determination drives decisions about treatment and school exclusion. [1] Viral infections spread rapidly in daycares and schools from eye to hand to eye and, for that reason, many schools have adapted rigid exclusion policies that are not evidence-based. Antibiotics, delivered in eye drop or ointment form, are a common course of treatment. F: 020 7251 8315 Treatment will depend on the cause of your conjunctivitis. It is self-limiting. When you start wearing them again, you should start a new case and, if they are disposalble, with new lenses. But these will not work if it's caused by a virus (viral conjunctivitis) or an allergy. • Viral conjunctivitis causes soreness of eyes and tearing while bacterial conjunctivitis in addition causes a thick, yellow, purulent discharge. Viral pink eye is characterized by watery eyes, itchiness and sensitivity to light. Viral vs. Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Differences Worth Knowing Viral Vs. Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Differences Based on Causes. T: 020 7549 2000 In most cases, your doctor can diagnose pink eye by asking questions about your symptoms and recent health history. Bacterial pink eye sets in rapidly. Potent irritants like acids and bases can burn the eye and blind the patient permanently. A culture may be needed if your symptoms are severe or if your doctor suspects a high-risk cause, such as a foreign body in your eye, a serious bacterial infection or a sexually transmitted infection. Most strains of bacterial conjunctivitis are mild and easily managed, but some strains can lead to serious eye problems if they are not treated right away. More commonly associated with discharge (pus), which can lead to eyelids sticking together Can occur with symptoms of a cold, flu, or other respiratory infection; Usually begins in one eye and may spread to the other eye within days; Discharge from the eye is usually watery rather than thick; Bacterial Conjunctivitis. Some patients feel like there is something in the eyes because of the irritation caused by the discharge. Cookie policy Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause conjunctivitis. It spreads rapidly. Viral vs bacterial bronchitis contagious Viral vs bacterial infection cbc Connect by text or video with a U.S. board-certified doctor now — wait time is less than 1 minute! Do not let anyone else use your towel. infection which affects the thin layer of tissue that covers part of the front of the eye and the inside of the eyelids (conjunctiva Bathing and cleaning the eyelids with sterile pads and clean water, or sterile wipes, is normally all that is needed. You should not wear contact lenses until the conjunctivitis has completely cleared up. Conjunctivitis can be due to viruses, bacteria, allergies, or chemicals. Viral conjunctivitis is caused by viral species. • Both bacterial and viral pink eye spread by contact. Viral conjunctivitis often follows a recent cold or sore throat. It features redness of eye, excessive tearing, pain, blurring of vision, and yellowish discharge. Eye and surrounding area may crust over. Antiviral drugs are indicated in severe cases only. This conjunctivitis caused by eye allergies is very common. • Viral conjunctivitis causes soreness of eyes and tearing while bacterial conjunctivitis in addition causes a thick, yellow, purulent discharge. Unlike with viral pinkeye, experts recommend treating bacterial conjunctivitis. If the pain increases while looking at a bright light (Photophobia), attention should be paid to exclude uveitis, elevated eye pressure, and meningitis. Eye lids stick together due to yellowish eye discharge. Allergic conjunctivitis is an abnormal hyper-sensitive reaction to a normal substance in the environment. Both viruses and bacteria can cause pink eye. • There are no crusting or stuck eye lids in viral conjunctivitis while pus may stick the eyelids together in bacterial conjunctivitis. transparent tissue that adheres to the anterior portion of the sclera and lines the eyelids; divided into 2 sections bulbar conjunctiva covers the sclera; tarsal conjunctiva covers the inner eyelids If you are experiencing allergic conjunctivitis, we have produced a separate leaflet on this. Avoiding allergens, anti-histamines, and steroids are effective in treating allergic conjunctivitis. Eye allergies, like … This leaflet looks at bacterial and viral conjunctivitis. It is important to avoid sharing towels with other people to help prevent spreading the infection. The commonest cause of pink eye is conjunctivitis. The NHS says that you don't need to stay away from work or school if you have conjunctivitis, unless you are feeling particularly unwell. Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by different bacteria. Conjunctivitis refers to any inflammatory condition of the membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the exposed surface of the sclera. Conjunctivitis is a common entity in young children and, while the list of potential etiologies is large, viruses, most commonly adenovirus, cause the majority of cases. Inflammation of the front of the eye and eyelids caused by an infection. Difference Between Nearsightedness and Farsightedness, Difference Between Ophthalmologist and Optometrist, Difference Between Compound Eyes and Simple Eyes, Difference Between Otitis Media and Otitis Externa, Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms, Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza, Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19, Difference Between Executive Producer and Producer, Difference Between Apple iOS 4.3.1 and iOS 4.3.2, Difference Between Azomethines and Ketimines, Difference Between Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter, Difference Between Temporary and Permanent Hardness of Water, Difference Between Electroporation and Microinjection. Conjunctivitis will normally get better on its own, without any medical treatment, in around one to two weeks. An office visit is usually not needed.Rarely, your doctor may take a sample of the liquid that drains from your eye for laboratory analysis (culture). Viral conjunctivitis can usually be diagnosed from the typical signs and symptoms. Bacterial conjunctivitis usually causes substantial amounts of thick eye discharge that may be white, yellow, or green. La secretion produced by the bacterial conjunctivitis its alot thicker and yellowish color to greenish, while the Viral discharge is more watery and whitish. Bacterial conjunctivitis may improve after three or four days of treatment, but patients need to take the entire course of antibiotics to prevent a recurrence. Conjunctivitis is commonly caused by bacteria and viruses. Additionally, in infectious conjunctivitis, general signs of viral or bacterial infection (e.g., fever) may be seen, while itching is particularly common in allergic conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis, uveitis, irits, elevated pressure in the eye, as well as sinusitis, can also cause pink eye. There is a history of asthma, drug or food allergy in these patients. If it's a bacterial infection you might be prescribed antibiotics. Viral Conjunctivitis. There is currently no effective treatment for this, but artificial tears, using a cold compress (such as clean cotton wool balls soaked in cold water), and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) such as Ibuprofen may make your eyes feel more comfortable. Bacterial pink eye may need topical antibiotic eye drops. Therefore, it accompanies common cold, sinusitis, and throat inflammation. However, experts caution that while primary care providers may be equipped to treat pinkeye, it's important to ensure the cause of conjunctivitis has been properly determined first. However, it should get better without any drops or ointment. Unlike with viral pinkeye, experts recommend treating bacterial conjunctivitis. Pus and edema: Bacterial conjunctivitis is not common in adults but occurs in children more often. • There is no pseudo membrane formation in viral conjunctivitis while Chlamydiae, Gonorrhea and Diphtheriae form a false membrane over the true membrane covering the eye and eyelids. Chemicals cause irritation if they get into the eye accidentally. @media (max-width: 1171px) { .sidead300 { margin-left: -20px; } } These bacteria can penetrate the cornea, the clear … • Viral conjunctivitis does not usually appear alone while bacterial conjunctivitis can be the sole presenting condition. Both types of conjunctivitis are very contagious and easily spread. In Chlamydial conjunctivitis, false membranes are formed on the surface of the eyes and under the eyelids. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. Usually it starts on one side and spreads to the other. It starts in one eye and usually spreads to the other within a week. Bacterial conjunctivitis is common in adults and is usually caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria. Viral conjunctivitis. Findings: Viral conjunctivitis is the most common overall cause of infectious conjunctivitis and usually does not require treatment; the signs and symptoms at presentation are variable. Only viral and bacterial infections can cause contagious cases of conjunctivitis. Also, people with weaker immune systems such as those with diabetes and people who don’t wash their hands before inserting or removing contact lenses are more at risk. 3 Viral conjunctivitis, on the other hand, usually causes a thinner discharge that may be clear, slightly white, or pink. Occasionally, if the infection does not improve within two weeks, you may need to be referred to a specialist or hospital. Bacterial conjunctivitis is the second most common cause of infectious conjunctivitis, with most uncomplicated cases resolving in … It may also accompany upper respiratory infections that are viral in nature, including the common cold and flu. Other classic features are burning, foreign body sensation, excessive tearing, and photophobia.