acute contagious conjunctivitis

conjunctivitis /con·junc·ti·vi·tis/ (kon-junk″tĭ-vi´tis) inflammation of the conjunctiva.

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acute contagious conjunctivitis , acute epidemic conjunctivitis pinkeye; a highly contagious form of conjunctivitis caused by Haemophilus aegyptius.

acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis  a contagious form due to infection with enteroviruses.

allergic conjunctivitis  conjunctival inflammation, itching, tearing, and redness caused by allergens.

atopic conjunctivitis  allergic conjunctivitis of the immediate type, due to airborne allergens such as pollens, dusts, spores, and animal hair.

gonococcal conjunctivitis , gonorrheal conjunctivitis a severe form due to infection with gonococci.

granular conjunctivitis  trachoma.

inclusion conjunctivitis  conjunctivitis affecting newborn infants, caused by a strain of Chlamydia trachomatis, beginning as acute purulent conjunctivitis and leading to papillary hypertrophy of the palpebral conjunctiva.

neonatal conjunctivitis  ophthalmia neonatorum.

phlyctenular conjunctivitis  that marked by small vesicles surrounded by a reddened zone.

spring conjunctivitis , vernal conjunctivitis a bilateral idiopathic form usually occurring in the spring in children.

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acute contagious conjunctivitis

n.

An acute, contagious form of conjunctivitis, caused by the bacterium Hemophilus aegyptius and characterized by inflammation of the eyelids and eyeballs and a mucopurulent discharge. Also called pinkeye.

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conjunctivitis [kon-junk″tĭ-vi´tis]

inflammation of the conjunctiva; it may be caused by bacteria or a virus, or by allergic, chemical, or physical factors. Its infectious form (of bacterial or viral origin) is highly contagious. See also pinkeye.

acute contagious conjunctivitis a contagious inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by Haemophilus aegypticus; secretions must be handled with extreme care to prevent its spread. Popularly known as pinkeye.

acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis a highly contagious form due to infection with enteroviruses.

gonococcal conjunctivitis (gonorrheal conjunctivitis) a severe form caused by infection with gonococci, marked by greatly swollen conjunctivae and eyelids with a profuse purulent discharge. In newborns it is bilateral, acquired from an infected maternal vaginal passage. In adults it is usually unilateral and is acquired by autoinoculation into the eye of other gonococcal infections, such as urethritis, either in oneself or in another person. Called also gonorrheal ophthalmia.

inclusion conjunctivitis a type of conjunctivitis primarily affecting newborn infants, caused by a strain of Chlamydia trachomatis, beginning as an acute purulent form and leading to papillary hypertrophy of the palpebral conjunctiva.

neonatal conjunctivitis ophthalmia neonatorum.

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Patient discussion about acute contagious conjunctivitis.

Q. How to treat a pink eye? I have pink eye in my left eye. It's very uncomfortable, how can I treat it?

A. You can either see a Doctor and he can prescribe some medication for it or you can treat it at home as follows:
First, prevent spreading the infection to the other eye and to other people. Pinkeye can be very contagious, so limit your contacts until you are better.
Carefully wash your hands every time you touch around your eye.
Keep your own towels, washcloths, and pillows separate from others.
Wash or change your pillowcase every day until the infection goes away.
Do not touch your infected eye with your fingers. Use tissues to wipe.
Do not wear eye makeup. Do not share eye makeup.
Do not wear your contact lenses until the infection is gone.
Put a warm compress, such as a washcloth soaked in warm water, on your eye for a few minutes, 3-4 times a day.
Do not put a patch over your eye. It may cause the infection to become worse.
Do not use eyedrops for more than a few days unless instructed by your ophthalmologist.