Conjunctivitis causes

	Conjunctivitis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Conjunctivitis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Case Studies
Case #1
Conjunctivitis causes On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Conjunctivitis causes All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Conjunctivitis causes
CDC on Conjunctivitis causes
Conjunctivitis causes in the news
Blogs on Conjunctivitis causes
Directions to Hospitals Treating Conjunctivitis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Conjunctivitis causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by viruses, often adenovirus, but many other factors can lead to its occurrence. Other causes include:

Conjunctivitis is spread from person-to-person by:

Direct contact with the infected person’s eye drainage or drainage from the person’s cough, sneeze, or runny nose.
Indirect contact with objects that may have the infected person’s drainage on them (e.g. eye makeup applicators, towels, shared eye medications).
Contact with the infected person’s fingers or hands which may contain the virus or bacteria.

Newborns can be infected by bacteria in the birth canal. This condition is called ophthalmia neonatorum, and it must be treated immediately to preserve eyesight. Additionally, neonatal conjunctivitis is a red eye in a newborn caused by irritation, a blocked tear duct, or infection.