Conjunctivitis%20-%20viral%20(pediatric) Management
Prevention
Adenovirus
- Infected individuals should be taught to wash hands frequently, use separate towels & to avoid close contact with others during the period of contagion (usually 7 days after onset of symptoms; some studies suggest contagion lasts 10 -14 days)
- Disinfect exposed surfaces & equipment with any appropriate disinfectant
Herpes Simplex Virus
- Infected individuals should be taught to wash hands frequently, use separate towels & to avoid close contact with others during the period of contagion
- Disinfect exposed surfaces & equipment with Na hypochlorite or any other appropriate disinfectant
Follow Up
Adenovirus
- Patients with severe disease who have membranous conjunctivitis should be re-evaluated within the week
- Other patients should be instructed to return in 1-2 weeks if they continue to experience symptoms of red eye, decreased vision or eye pain
- Interval history, visual acuity & slit lamp exam are done
- Follow-up may be extended longer as the clinical picture improves (eg decrease in conjunctival reaction & discharge)
- Patients on corticosteroid therapy must also be seen every 4-8 weeks; interval history, slit lamp exam & testing of visual acuity are done
- Measure intraocular pressure (IOP) & pupillary dilation at baseline & periodically
- Patients requiring repeat short-term topical corticosteroid therapy should be informed of its possible complications
Herpes Simplex Virus
- Patients should be re-evaluated within 1 week
- Subsequent follow-up may be extended longer as the clinical picture improves
- Interval history, visual acuity & slit lamp examination are done on each visit
- Advice of possibility of recurrence of the disease in the future, in the form of conjunctivitis, blepharitis or keratitis. This can be brought about by stress or immunocompromised state
Molluscum Contagiosum
- Follow-up until conjunctivitis resolves
Referral to Ophthalmologist
Herpes Simplex Virus
- The potential sequelae & recurrent nature of the disease warrants a specialist referral; particularly if there is corneal involvement
Molluscum Contagiosum
- For surgical management of the disease in symptomatic patients
- Conjunctivitis may require weeks to resolve after removal of lesions