Acute Viral Conjuntivitis

Acute conjunctivitis is acute inflammation of ocular mucous membrane, normally called red eye disease that has led to wide spreads at home, offices or schools, caused by Adenovirus. This virus has 47 serotypes classified into 6 subgroups (denoted A to F). They can be found at any part of the world and possibly result in upper respiratory and ocular illnesses.

In summers, as the rate of virus-caused diseases increases the infection rate of acute conjunctivitis is also on the rise. During epidemics, the patient has to temporarily stop normal work activity for months. Without prevention for spread of infection and proper treatments, the case will last for longer period present with corneal lesions, the cause of low vision.

Epidemiology of the disease

According to a study, the rate of infection of acute conjunctivitis is about 0.03 – 1.10% of the total population. However, in places where there is close contact between infected people and non-infected people like offices, schools a remarkable increase of 10 – 30% is recorded.

Transmission is possible by direct contact with eye discharge through towels, clothes, swimming pool water or by hand contact. What’s more, in hospitals, medical staff may be infected with the virus and transmit to the others by the use of health care equipment. Patient’s family members and visitors may also get the infection in common waiting areas. The incubation period of this disease is usually 1 to 2 weeks and it starts contagious 2 weeks after the onset of the symptoms.

Prevention and protection of infection

To prevent viral diseases during summer season, it is recommended to strengthen the body’s resistance to illness by supplement vitamin C from fruits such as lemon, orange juice. You can use a sterile solution of sodium chloride 0.9% or antibiotic eye drops (Tobramycine 0.3%, chloramphenicol 0.4%) to cleanse the eyes daily after swimming or being outside.

At the office, at school and at home, the infected individual should avoid close contact with others for at least 2 weeks and use separate personal items. In hospitals, medical staff should wash hands before providing consultation and patient-care equipments must be sterilized according to regulation before use.

Symptoms – possible in one or two eyes

Subjective signs:

• Red eye
• Foreign body sensation
• Light sensitivity
• Watery eye
• A lot of eye discharge: sticky, hard to open the eye when awakening
• Especially, vision stable at the early stage of infection.
• Eyelid edema and congestion

On examination

• Conjunctival edema and congestion
• Presence or absence of hemorrhage of the conjunctiva or pseudomembrane
• Lots of secretions present in the conjunctival sac and on the edges of eyelids

Systemic symptoms:  quite similar to influenze virus

• 37 – 38 degree celcius fever
• Upper respiratory inflammation with throat itching, coughing, sneezing
• Ganglion under the jaw or in front of ear.

Stage of corneal lesions

• More severe subjective symptoms of dazzling, water discharge, decreased vision depending on the severity of the affected cornea.
• On examination, subepithelial infiltration can be seen on the cornea.

When such symptoms occur the patient needs:

• use separate personal items
• temporarily avoid direct contact with collegues and relatives
• Visit an eye doctor for consultation and proper treatment to prevent its complications.

At the Hanoi French Hospital, Dr. Nghiem Thi Thu Trang - ophthalmologist with years of experience will attend patients with eye diseases. For an appointment with our gynecologists, please contact us at (84-24) 3577 1100, or send us an inquiry here