Conjunctivitis in children

A common condition that many children encounter at some point is conjunctivitis, also referred to as pink eye. The conjunctiva, the transparent tissue that covers the white portion of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid, is inflamed. Despite the frightening appearance, it’s usually not serious and is easily treatable.

Conjunctivitis comes in various forms, such as bacterial, allergic, and viral. Although each kind has unique causes and symptoms, they frequently exhibit similar symptoms such as redness, itching, and discharge from the eyes. Being able to identify these signs early on will help you treat the illness more successfully.

It’s critical to know how to stop conjunctivitis from spreading and to make sure your child receives the right care if they have it. Most cases resolve quickly and without issues if the proper steps are taken.

What is it?

The international disease classification system, or ICD-10, includes conjunctivitis as one of its diseases. Usually, this illness affects both eyes. One-sided inflammation can occur in approximately one-third of cases. Conjunctivitis ranks first among other conditions affecting the eyes and visual system in disease statistics.

The inflammation of the eye’s mucous membrane is the cause of this illness. The disease starts in the eyes when inflammation occurs due to exposure to external factors. The entire mucous membrane becomes infected with the disease very quickly.

In more extreme situations, the process may even spread to the inner sphere of the eye or result in brain inflammation if the appropriate medication has not been prescribed.

The illness usually manifests in a fairly mild form. It is far less common for purulent conjunctivitis to be accompanied by pus discharge from the eye. Bacteria are frequently the cause of them. Viral infection is far less common in the purulent form of the illness.

Causes of occurrence

Numerous external agents can induce conjunctivitis. All of the factors that cause the disease are categorized by modern science into multiple groups:

• Bacterial. In this case, the source of the disease is harmful bacteria. Getting on the mucous membrane of the eye, they cause severe inflammation. Bacterial conjunctivitis is quite severe. In children, even purulent variants of the disease can occur. Treatment requires the appointment of special antibacterial agents.
• Viral. They occupy the first place in frequency among other types of conjunctivitis. Occurs in every second child who consults a doctor with suspected inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye. The disease often occurs without the course of pus. This option is characterized by strong lacrimation. On average, the disease lasts 10-14 days. For treatment, it is necessary to prescribe special antiviral drugs in the form of drops for the eyes, and in severe cases even tablets.
• Allergic. In the presence of an allergy, conjunctivitis also often occurs quite often. In this case, the baby has all the signs of an allergic reaction: the body temperature rises, itchy elements appear on the skin, and congestion may appear when breathing. The behavior of the child is changing. Kids become less active, sleepy. Young children can be capricious and refuse to eat.
• Traumatic. A child can accidentally cause an injury in ordinary everyday life. Kids under three years old actively know the world. Try everything to taste or touch – their favorite classes. If a foreign substance gets into the eye, the mucous membrane can be damaged and severe inflammation can begin. In this case, you need to urgently show the child to an ophthalmologist.
• Chemical. If various liquids or substances get into the eye, inflammation can also begin. The most common cause of chemical conjunctivitis is household chemicals. In some children, such inflammation can occur after bathing with shampoo. Shower foam or gel, getting into the eyes, can provoke conjunctivitis.
• Conjunctivitis, which occurs with other diseases. Most often they occur in children with chronic inflammatory diseases of the ear. Exacerbation of otitis, sinusitis and other diseases of the ENT organs provokes inflammation on the mucous membrane of the eye. This is due to the immediate proximity of the organs to each other, as well as the blood supply from the same blood vessels. In such cases, before treating conjunctivitis, you should first of all cure the exacerbation of the chronic disease that caused the inflammatory process.
• Congenital conjunctivitis. It is quite rare. In this case, the baby is infected in the womb, from the mother. If a pregnant woman gets a viral or bacterial infection during pregnancy, she can easily infect her baby. Viruses and bacteria are very small in size. They easily penetrate the placenta and are quickly carried throughout the child"s body by the bloodstream. Once on the mucous membrane of the eye, they also cause conjunctivitis.

Stages of the disease

Any inflammatory process involves the replacement of specific stages one after the other:

1. Getting a provoking factor on the mucous membrane of the eye. This can happen in several ways. Most often – through direct contact or with the bloodstream. Getting on the mucous membrane, a foreign agent affects the cells and triggers inflammation.
2. Development of the main clinical symptoms of the disease. The cells of the immune system take an active part in this. After receiving a signal that some foreign agent has entered the body, they quickly begin their work. By releasing biologically active substances, immune defense cells try to limit the process only in the eye cavity, preventing its spread throughout the body. Most cases of conjunctivitis occur in a follicular form, without dangerous complications.
3. The recovery process. During this period, all clinical manifestations of the disease gradually begin to fade. Symptoms of inflammation are erased, and the baby gradually recovers. However, this course of the disease is characteristic only with a favorable development of the disease. Weakened babies or children with a low level of immunity may develop dangerous complications. To prevent this, special medications must be prescribed at the first and second stages.

Incubation period

There can be differences in the amount of time that pass between when a virus or bacteria enters the body and when the disease’s primary symptoms appear. Depending on which pathogen caused the illness, yes. The incubation period for most cases of bacterial conjunctivitis is seven to ten days. Sometimes even for as long as two weeks.

The incubation period for disease variants caused by viruses is typically five to seven days. After that, the baby becomes contagious, and it is not difficult for a sick child to spread the disease to a healthy one. Viruses propagate quickly and are incredibly small in size. Children who go to kindergarten or school have a much higher chance of contracting an infection. Doctors observe a discernible rise in conjunctivitis cases in crowded settings.

Children frequently get conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, which results in redness, itching, and discharge from the eyes. It is easily transmitted in places like daycare centers and schools and can be brought on by bacteria, viruses, or allergies. In order to avoid discomfort and complications, parents should be on the lookout for symptoms and seek treatment when needed. Thankfully, conjunctivitis is usually mild and goes away with little medical attention or medication.

How to recognize: first signs and symptoms

The second stage of the illness starts after the incubation period. The illness is now clearly visible and exhibiting all of its hallmark symptoms. Typically, conjunctivitis presents with the following symptoms:

• Lacrimation. The most striking and classic symptom. Occurs in 98% of sick children. Tearing bothers the baby throughout the day. It decreases somewhat at night and after instillation of drops. During the first three days, tearing can be unbearable. As a rule, the discharge from the eye is light. In some cases, it can be bloody or with a yellow tint.
• Redness of the eye. The vessels located on the surface of the eyeball turn very red and become very noticeable upon examination. In babies with a severe course of the disease, the redness can be very pronounced. The eyes look tired. In severe cases, the entire white space of the eye around the iris turns red.
• Photophobia. Due to inflammation on the mucous membrane, this rather unpleasant symptom appears. The baby cannot open his eyes during the daytime. Bright rays of light cause pain in the child and increase lacrimation. In the dark or when the room is curtained, babies feel much better.
• Discharge of pus. This symptom is optional. It is most often found in babies with bacterial conjunctivitis. As a rule, both eyes are affected at the same time. Discharge of pus occurs throughout the day. In this case, mandatory prescription of antibacterial eye drops is required. In severe cases of the disease, doctors can prescribe antibiotics in tablets or even injections.
• Increased body temperature. In mild cases of the disease, it rises to 37-37.5 degrees. In more severe cases or when the first complications appear, the temperature rises to 38-39 degrees. The baby"s health worsens, weakness increases. Children become more capricious, try not to open their eyes. Night and daytime sleep bring temporary relief.
• Feeling of a foreign object or "sand" in the eyes. This is also an important diagnostic sign of conjunctivitis. Occurs in more than 80% of patients.
• Manifestations of an allergic reaction. Occurs in case of allergies. Children have a fever, may have a runny nose or congestion when breathing. Children with atopic dermatitis have itchy red elements on the skin. The child"s health deteriorates greatly. The child becomes lethargic, eats poorly.

Forms of the disease

The illness may manifest in a great variety of ways. The process is referred to as acute if it happens for the first time. This is a first-ever instance of a particular disease in human history. When a disease returns after treatment but takes some time to heal, it is already considered a chronic process.

Conjunctivitis typically flares up repeatedly. A recurrent process is the term used to describe the disease’s aggravation in the chronic variant of its course. Recurrences of conjunctivitis are common. Every year, many children under the age of seven may experience exacerbations.

The most common cause of conjunctivitis is an infection. Top on the list of things that cause ocular inflammation are viruses and bacteria.

Conjunctivitis, however, can also be fungal or chlamydial in origin. These disease variations affect children who are weaker or who have compromised immune systems.

Chronic internal organ diseases or low immunity in children can cause persistent conjunctivitis. Inflammation frequently also develops inside the upper eyelid, which makes treatment extremely difficult.

Diagnostics

Conjunctivitis presents with quite striking clinical features. It is very difficult to mistake for other inflammatory eye diseases. Not every child, though, will experience the illness’s typical course of symptoms. To get a diagnosis, doctors occasionally turn to auxiliary techniques.

An ophthalmologist should be consulted if parents observe severe lacrimation or redness in the baby’s eyes. The diagnosis and appropriate treatment using specialized lamps and devices can only be made by a medical professional.

Ophthalmologists can recommend specific laboratory tests to determine the pathogen. A general blood test is the most typical and standard test. It is capable of demonstrating the extent of the illness as well as pinpointing its cause. It is possible to identify whether conjunctivitis is bacterial or viral through a blood test.

Further testing is necessary when the disease is not quite normal. Pediatric ophthalmology also frequently uses blood sampling to measure antibodies to different infections. Such as test allows for the identification of fungi, protozoa, and chlamydia.

Tear fluid or discharge from the eye can be collected for analysis in children who are in the early stages of the illness. They investigate the substance in the lab and determine the origin of the illness.

Bacterial culture is a useful tool for determining antibiotic sensitivity in addition to helping identify the disease’s causative agent. This will facilitate the prescription of more potent medication.

Treatment

For conjunctivitis, an ophthalmologist prescribes medication therapy. He determines the required medication schedule and mix after evaluating the child and doing further research.

Antibiotics are something the doctor will definitely recommend if the illness is bacterial. Among the most popular and often utilized medications, the following can be identified:

• "Albucid". Used in the treatment of conjunctivitis almost from birth. The drug kills various forms of bacteria, including activity against staphylococci and streptococci.
• "Levomycetin". Refers to antibacterial agents. Used to treat bacterial forms of conjunctivitis. Often prescribed when pus is released or complications occur.
• "Furacilin". Suitable for treating and washing eyes. Diluted in warm water. Affected eyes are treated with a weak solution 3-4 times a day. Has a detrimental effect on many microorganisms. Has a disinfectant effect.
• "Miramistin". This is a good antiseptic that allows you to kill pathogenic microorganisms. Used to treat acute inflammatory processes, as well as to eliminate symptoms during exacerbation of chronic. Relatively rarely causes side effects.
• Tetracycline ointment. Is a classic in the treatment of conjunctivitis of infectious nature. Prescribed in the acute period of the disease. Using tetracycline ointment helps to get rid of purulent discharge, reduces redness of the eyes and prevents the development of possible adverse complications.

Conjunctivitis treatment is complicated and necessitates taking multiple medications at once. It may be prescribed to use homeopathy in mild cases of the illness. When the inflammation goes down, homeopathic medications can be taken to boost the immune system and speed up the child’s body’s recovery.

Is it necessary to take antibiotics?

In situations where multiple bacteria are the cause of the illness, antibiotics are recommended. Antibacterial medications are effective against all types of bacteria. At this point, there are numerous dosage forms for every drug that destroys bacteria. Ophthalmologists can prescribe tablets or drops of antibiotics to treat conjunctivitis. Ointment prescriptions are less common.

Antibacterial drops are more practical to use. They are very easy for mom to use at home. Typically, a 7–10 day course is advised. Doctors may decide to extend the time to two weeks in more serious cases.

It is acceptable to combine antibacterial agents or select a medication with a wide range of action in challenging situations.

Watch the video below to learn how to give a child the drug through their eyes.

Only a physician should prescribe an antibiotic. It is very undesirable to use drugs for this purpose on your own. Misuse of antibacterial agents can result in numerous drug side effects as well as dangerous complications instead of a positive outcome and recovery.

Conjunctivitis can be successfully treated at home without the need for antibiotics. Everything is dependent on the underlying cause of the illness. It is not necessary to use antibiotics for viral conjunctivitis. Babies with a mild form of the disease can receive treatment at home (under a doctor’s supervision) after consulting an ophthalmologist.

Hospital stays are most common for infants and newborns. Such babies’ immune systems are still developing and are not very effective. Risky complications may arise as a result of this. Giving patients access to quality medical care can hasten their recuperation and stop an acute process from becoming chronic.

How many days does it take to heal on average?

The length of time needed to treat conjunctivitis varies depending on what caused the condition.

All viral eye infections usually clear up in five to seven days. The duration of bacterial conjunctivitis is longer. The sickness usually lasts seven to ten days. Every inflammatory process brought on by fungus lingers for a considerable amount of time. In certain instances, the illness progresses over a month.

Conjunctivitis may linger longer in a child who is frail or who has certain chronic illnesses affecting other internal organs. Treatment for inflammatory eye diseases can take up to one month in infants and children who are immunocompromised.

Can I go for a walk?

When the sickness is at its worst, you shouldn’t go outside. Waiting a few days until you feel better is preferable. A child should not go outside alone if they have a fever or severe lacrimation. The mucous membrane that is irritated is extremely sensitive to different stimuli. Sunlight can cause eye damage and worsen ocular lacrimation.

Babies can go outside once the inflammation has subsided. During the initial days following the illness’s acute phase, wearing sunglasses is advised. A baby carriage with a large sun visor is ideal for walks with newborns or infants. A hat with a wide brim is necessary if the stroll with the infant happens during the summer. Baseball caps that shield the face from direct sunlight and shield the eyes are appropriate.

Can I swim?

Babies shouldn’t swim while the illness is at its most severe. particularly if the child’s fever is noticeably higher than normal.

Babies are able to swim again once the inflammation has decreased. Long-term submersion in water is not advised:

• For babies under five years old, a hygienic bath is sufficient.
• For older children, it is better to choose bathing under the shower.

Possible complications

Complication-causing conjunctivitis is a potentially fatal condition. Infants may experience visual issues. After conjunctivitis, problems with color perception can occasionally occur. Babies with this condition confuse colors and are unable to recognize all of the palette’s shades. Such a result is extremely uncommon, though.

The most frequent consequences of conjunctivitis are the development of a prolonged or recurrent chronic form of the illness. In this instance, babies need to be prescribed medications on a regular basis to get rid of uncomfortable symptoms.

One of the most typical side effects of conjunctivitis is suppuration. In this instance, the illness starts out quite mildly.

Cause	Explanation
Viral Conjunctivitis	Caused by a virus, often accompanies a cold or respiratory infection.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis	Results from bacteria entering the eye, leading to redness and discharge.
Allergic Conjunctivitis	Triggered by allergens like pollen or dust, causing itchiness and watery eyes.
Symptoms	Redness, swelling, itching, and discharge from the eyes.
Treatment	Depends on the cause—may include eye drops, antibiotics, or antihistamines.

Although children’s conjunctivitis is a common condition, it can be effectively managed with the right care. By being aware of the signs and causes, parents can take prompt action to aid in their child’s recovery.

Conjunctivitis is usually not a serious condition, despite the way it may appear. Its spread can be stopped by following basic hygiene precautions, like frequent hand washing. Usually, over-the-counter remedies or prescription drugs are effective in curing the infection.

You should see a doctor if your symptoms worsen or continue. Monitoring your child’s condition lowers the likelihood of complications and guarantees they receive the care they require.

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