Viral conjunctivitis

Adenoviral conjunctivitis

Adenoviral conjunctivitis. Dilated, tortuous blood vessels and patchy conjunctival hemorrhages.

There are two types of adenoviral conjunctivitis - pharyngoconjunctival fever and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. Both are highly contagious.

Pharygoconjunctival fever

Pharyngoconjunctival fever is a flu-like illness. Patients usually have a sore throat, a mild conjunctivitis, fever and swollen lymph glands. Severe eye disease is rare.

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is a much more severe disease with a greater risk of complications. The conjunctivitis usually develops very quickly and is often quite spectacular. Marked redness and patchy haemorrhages are common. Most patients are otherwise well. Severe corneal disease occurs in 80% of cases.

Testing for adenoviral conjunctivitis

It is now possible to do an on-the-spot’ test for adenovirus, using an ‘immunochromatographic’ test, much the same as a pregnancy test. This is followed up with PCR testing, a slower but ‘Gold standard’ test that takes up to 7 days to perform.