Trachoma (patient information): Difference between revisions

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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Trachoma|here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Trachoma|here]]'''


{{CMG}}
{{CMG}} ; {{AE}} {{ADI}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
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Symptoms may include:
Symptoms may include:


* Cloudy cornea
* Cloudy [[cornea]]
* Discharge from the eye
* Discharge from the [[eye]]
* Swelling of lymph nodes just in front of the ears
* Swelling of [[lymph nodes]] just in front of the ears
* Swollen eyelids
* Swollen eyelids
* Turned-in eyelashes
* Turned-in eyelashes


==What causes Trachoma?==
==What causes Trachoma?==
Trachoma is caused by infection with the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.
Trachoma is caused by infection with the bacteria [[Chlamydia trachomatis]].


The condition occurs worldwide, mostly in rural settings in developing countries. It frequently affects children, although the effects of scarring may not be seen until later in life. While trachoma is rare in the United States, certain populations marked by poverty, crowded living conditions, or poor hygiene are at higher risk for this illness.
The condition occurs worldwide, mostly in rural settings in developing countries. It frequently affects children, although the effects of scarring may not be seen until later in life. While trachoma is rare in the United States, certain populations marked by poverty, crowded living conditions, or poor hygiene are at higher risk for this illness.


Trachoma is spread through direct contact with infected eye, nose, or throat secretions or by contact with contaminated objects, such as towels or clothes. Certain flies can also spread the bacteria.
Trachoma is spread through direct contact with infected eye, nose, or throat secretions or by contact with contaminated objects, such as towels or clothes. Certain flies can also spread the bacteria.
==Who is at highest risk?==


==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
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==When to seek urgent medical care?==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Call your health care provider if you or your child recently visited an area of the world where trachoma is common and there are symptoms of conjunctivitis.


==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
Antibiotics can prevent long-term complications if used early in the infection. Antibiotics include [[erythromycin]] and [[doxycycline]]. In certain cases, eyelid surgery may be needed to prevent long-term scarring, which can lead to blindness if not corrected.


==Where to find medical care for Trachoma?==
==Where to find medical care for Trachoma?==
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==Prevention==
==Prevention==
Improved sanitation and not sharing items such as towels are important measures for limiting the spread of trachoma.


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
Early treatment before the development of scarring and lid deformities has an excellent prognosis.


==Possible complications==
==Possible Complications==
If the eyelids are severely irritated, the eyelashes may turn in and rub against the cornea. This can cause eye ulcers, additional scars, vision loss, and possibly, blindness.


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{reflist|2}}
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001486.htm
 
{{Reflist|2}}
{{WH}}
{{WS}}


[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
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[[Category:Neglected diseases]]
[[Category:Neglected diseases]]
[[Category:Tropical disease]]
[[Category:Tropical disease]]
[[Category:Infectious disease]]
{{WH}}
{{WS}}

Latest revision as of 00:28, 30 July 2020

Trachoma

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Trachoma?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible Complications

Trachoma On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Trachoma

Videos on Trachoma

FDA on Trachoma

CDC on Trachoma

Trachoma in the news

Blogs on Trachoma

Directions to Hospitals Treating Trachoma

Risk calculators and risk factors for Trachoma

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Trachoma is a bacterial infection of the eye.

What are the symptoms of Trachoma?

Symptoms begin 5 to 12 days after being exposed to the bacteria. The condition begins slowly as inflammation of the tissue lining the eyelids (conjunctivitis, or "pink eye"), which if untreated may lead to scarring.

Symptoms may include:

  • Cloudy cornea
  • Discharge from the eye
  • Swelling of lymph nodes just in front of the ears
  • Swollen eyelids
  • Turned-in eyelashes

What causes Trachoma?

Trachoma is caused by infection with the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.

The condition occurs worldwide, mostly in rural settings in developing countries. It frequently affects children, although the effects of scarring may not be seen until later in life. While trachoma is rare in the United States, certain populations marked by poverty, crowded living conditions, or poor hygiene are at higher risk for this illness.

Trachoma is spread through direct contact with infected eye, nose, or throat secretions or by contact with contaminated objects, such as towels or clothes. Certain flies can also spread the bacteria.

Diagnosis

An eye exam may reveal scarring on the inside of the upper eye lid, redness of the white part of the eyes, and new blood vessel growth into the cornea.

Laboratory tests are needed to accurately identify and detect the bacteria and diagnose trachoma.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if you or your child recently visited an area of the world where trachoma is common and there are symptoms of conjunctivitis.

Treatment options

Antibiotics can prevent long-term complications if used early in the infection. Antibiotics include erythromycin and doxycycline. In certain cases, eyelid surgery may be needed to prevent long-term scarring, which can lead to blindness if not corrected.

Where to find medical care for Trachoma?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Trachoma

Prevention

Improved sanitation and not sharing items such as towels are important measures for limiting the spread of trachoma.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Early treatment before the development of scarring and lid deformities has an excellent prognosis.

Possible Complications

If the eyelids are severely irritated, the eyelashes may turn in and rub against the cornea. This can cause eye ulcers, additional scars, vision loss, and possibly, blindness.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001486.htm

Template:WH Template:WS