Conjunctivitis Flashcards
What organisms commonly cause bacterial conjunctivitis?
staph aureus
strep. pneumoniae
haemophillus influenzae - children
When is bacterial conjunctivitis worrying?
in neonates - under 2 weeks
What is the presentation of bacterial conjunctivitis?
red conjunctiva and discharge
How is bacterial conjunctivitis treated?
swab for culture
then a topical antibiotic - usually chloramphenicol
hourly drops
What is the role of chloramphenicol?
inhbits peptidyl transferase enzyme - stops protein synsthesis
bacteriostatic for staph
bacteriocidal for strep and haemophilus
What can chloramphenicol cause?
gray baby syndrome - just need to lower the dose
What does chloramphenicol not treat?
pseudomas aeurginosa
What pathogens are viral conjunctivitis commonly due to?
adenovirus
herpes simplex
herpes zoster
What is the presentation of viral conjunctivitis?
pink eye
normally no discharge
can have cutaneous involvement
normally bilateral
What is the presentation of chlamidyal conjunctivitis?
young adults
dont need to have the symptoms of urethritis or vaginitis
chronic history of conjunctivitis
normally unilateral
What are the symptoms of chlamidyal conjunctivitis?
red eye
follicles seen inside eyelid which can cause subtarsal scarring
What is a worrying sign of herpex simplex infection?
cause affect the eye and cause conjunctivitis if it reaches the tip of the nose
