Conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye”, is an infection of the eye most commonly caused by one of the adenoviruses, a family of viruses that is also responsible for upper respiratory illnesses (colds). These viruses can spread from person to person on hands and in airborne respiratory droplets (coughs and sneezes). Most cases of conjunctivitis are mild and self-limiting, but some have the potential to severely affect your sight.
Signs and symptoms of viral conjunctivitis include:
- Red, watery eyes
- Foreign body sensation
- Serous discharge (thick tears) that may form crusts around the eyelashes
- Eyes matted shut upon awakening in the morning
- Lid edema (swollen lids)
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light) and decreased vision in severe cases
Viral conjunctivitis is contagious for 12-14 days, so it is recommended that you stay at home from work or school until there is absolutely no discharge from the eyes. Expect the symptoms to get worse for about 7-10 days before getting better. As with most viral conditions, it is self-limiting but may not completely go away for three to six weeks. The most effective treatment is hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and avoid touching your eyes. Use paper towels to dry your hands and face. This will prevent the fellow eye from becoming infected and/or re-infected. Do not share towels, linens, wash cloths or facial cosmetics, especially eye makeup, with others. Stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the infection to others.
If you wear contact lenses, discontinue wearing your lenses immediately until the condition resolves. Continued use of contact lenses while infected puts you at increased risk to develop severe complications that can damage the eye.
Medical management ranges from cold compresses (for eyelid swelling) and artificial tears to topical vasoconstrictors like Visine. Antibiotics are not recommended: use of these can lead to bacterial resistance. Topical steroids may be prescribed by your eye doctor in severe cases if the cornea becomes involved.
So can the H1N1 virus cause pink eye? Absolutely! The virus can be transmitted by touching an infected surface and then rubbing your eyes. However, unlike the adenovirus, the H1N1 virus affects mainly the respiratory system and causes only mild ocular symptoms: redness, tearing and irritation.